Depression

Depression is a serious and life-inhibiting condition that often creates lasting feelings of irritability  or sadness. While mental health providers work with depressed patients daily, it is not always clear why people start to feel depressed. Depression can set in after a difficult or painful experience, such as a loss or disappointment, or even without a clear reason.

No matter the cause, it is important not to take the feelings of depression lightly. Seeking help is the first step toward treatment that could help alleviate the symptoms. We offer a variety of services for our clients with depression.

Symptoms of Depression

People are all affected by depression differently. To recognize and get treatment for depression, it is important to first understand its symptoms. It is natural to have occasional feelings of sadness, but if these feelings last for two weeks or more, they may be signs of depression. People with depression also commonly find it difficult to enjoy activities that were once pleasurable.

Other symptoms of depression can include:

  • weight loss or gain
  • lack of sleep or sleeping too much
  • difficulty concentrating
  • frequent feelings of fatigue
  • feeling sluggish or jittery
  • feeling guilty
  • feeling worthless or hopeless
  • thoughts about death or suicide

Oftentimes in children and adolescents, depression manifests differently than in adults. Some signs of depression in children include the following:

  • Irritable mood

  • Changes in the child’s eating or sleeping patterns (hypersomnia)

  • Self-deprecation: a child being extremely hard on himself or herself, saying negative self-statements

  • Withdrawal or loss of interest in activities or pleasures that once were enjoyable

  • Suicidal statements or thoughts

    • Take all suicidal thoughts, feelings, or statements seriously. Assess the situation at hand, and if you foresee imminent danger for the child, contact emergency services right away.

If the situation calls for a less immediate response, please contact us so that we can help you and/or your loved one start effectively dealing with these symptoms and start living a happier life.

Some depressed children might not feel sadness as a result of their depression. Instead, their mood state may be more irritable, which can make the detection of their depression difficult by non-mental health providers. Depression can come on over a matter of days or it may build gradually over a longer period of time. Look for these symptoms and take action to find help if you think you or you child may be depressed.

Treatment for Depression

Depression is not always an unchanging experience. You may feel better for a few days between periods of feeling depressed; this does not mean that you are no longer depressed.

Left untreated, depression can become very painful and may interfere significantly with a person’s life. And while most people who seek help will experience moderate to significant relief from symptoms, studies show that many people with depression do not seek help and are not getting the treatment they need. If you think you may be depressed, please seek help to get the treatment you need to start working toward feeling better.

We work with our clients in conducting a comprehensive  assessment to determine whether they are depressed and how best to help if they are. We offer treatment tailored to the particular type of depression with which a person is struggling. Our treatments often involve working with a psychotherapist to understand and master depression and sometimes – but not always – the use of antidepressant medication.

Contact us at U-M Psychological Clinic if you think you may be depressed.  If you are concerned about your children contact us at UCCF.

We are ready to help.

Look here for more information on depression symptoms and treatment: