
Jennifer Beall Psychotherapy
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Crofton, MD 21114
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Are You More Than Just Sad?
Depression is predicted to become the second most common health problem in the world by the year 2020. According to a fact sheet from PBS about 15 million American adults, or about 8% of the adult population, will experience depression in a given year. About 80% of people with depression are not currently being treated, although 80-90% of people who obtain treatment find relief.
If depression is so treatable, why do so few people seek treatment? There are a number of possible reasons. Some people believe that depression is a weakness or a moral failing rather than the legitimate medical illness that it is. Many people with depression think that they're just unhappy, so they believe that they should be able to get over it without help. When a person is depressed, everything can feel like an effort, and the idea of seeking help can seem overwhelming. People with depression tend to feel hopeless, too, so they may believe that treatment cannot help them.
Symptoms of depression include
Depressed mood
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Significant changes in weight or appetite
Sleeping too little or too much
Restlessness or feeling “slowed down”
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
Recurrent thoughts of death, or suicidal thoughts (If you or someone you know is in danger of self-harm, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.)
Not everyone who is depressed experiences all of these symptoms, and people experience them to varying degrees.
Some people have a long-term, less severe form of depression called dysthymic disorder or dysthymia. People with dysthymic disorder may be seen as “Eeyore types.” They may believe that this is their personality. In that case, there's no point in trying to change, right?
Wrong! Although the symptoms of dysthymic disorder are less dramatic than those of major depression, they should not be minimized or ignored. Dysthymic disorder responds to the same treatments that are used for major depression, namely talk therapy and, when appropriate, medication.
So, if you've been unhappy for a long time and think there's nothing that can be done about it, think again. You can lead a happier life.
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