Depression
About Depression
Clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is a mental health condition that causes a persistently low or depressed mood and a loss of interest in activities that once brought joy. It impacts how you sleep, your appetite, your energy and motivation, and your ability to think clearly.
Clinical depression is a chronic condition, but it usually occurs in episodes, which can last several weeks or months. You or your teen may have more than one episode in your lifetime.
How common is depression?
Clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is a mental health condition that causes a persistently low or depressed mood and a loss of interest in activities that once brought joy. It impacts how you sleep, your appetite, your energy and motivation, and your ability to think clearly.
Clinical depression is a chronic condition, but it usually occurs in episodes, which can last several weeks or months. You or your teen may have more than one episode in your lifetime.
What causes depression?
Depression can stem from past events that inflict emotional distress and disrupt well-being. Examples include traumatic experiences like abuse, violence, natural disasters, or loss.
Childhood adversity, like a dysfunctional family or neglect, can shape mental health in adulthood. Chronic stressors like financial difficulties or relationship problems can wear down resilience, resulting in depression.
Other potential factors that can contribute to the development of symptoms, include:
• Brain chemistry: An imbalance of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, contributes to the development of depression.
• Genetics: If you have a close relative with depression, you’re about three times as likely to develop the condition as someone without a family history of the condition. However, you can have clinical depression without a family history of it.
• Stressful life events: Difficult experiences, such as the death of a loved one, trauma, divorce, isolation and lack of support, can trigger clinical depression in people who are susceptible to it.
How Therapy Can Help with Depression
Therapy offers a compassionate and structured approach to treating depression, providing a safe space to explore and understand the underlying causes and triggers of your symptoms.
We’ll help you develop coping strategies to build resilience, empowering you to manage your symptoms more effectively. By working collaboratively we’ll help you gain insight into your emotions, build self-awareness, and ultimately, find hope and healing on your journey toward recovery from depression.
We’ll work together to identify what may be the root cause of your depression and tailor your treatment accordingly, using a combination of CBT, mindfulness, EMDR, and regular talk therapy.
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