Depression Q&A

What is depression?

Depression is a condition that affects your mood, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It’s characterized by severe or long-lasting sadness that negatively affects your way of life, including relationships, your job, or school.

If depression diminishes your quality of life or you’ve had thoughts of suicide, see a Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services provider for an evaluation.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression can cause the following symptoms:

• Extreme sadness
• Feeling hopeless
• Guilt
• Shame
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Suicidal thoughts
• Making careless mistakes
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Withdrawal from others
• Weight loss or gain
• Fatigue
• Changes in sleep habits
• Crying spells
• Physical aches or pains

Depression can feel debilitating in severe cases. It may come and go seasonally or appear during difficult life situations. If depression negatively affects you, treatment can offer relief.

What can increase my risk of depression?

While the cause of depression isn’t always known, risk factors may include:

• Anxiety
• Other mental health conditions
• Chronic health issues
• Low self-esteem
• Lack of strong support system
• Getting bullied
• Family history of depression
• History of trauma
• Drug or alcohol use
• Divorce
• Loss of a loved one
• Financial stress
• Social isolation
• Hormonal shifts
• Sadness
• Suicidal thoughts
• Medical conditions

Seasonal depression may occur during the cold winter months and disappear during warmer months. Postpartum depression develops in some women shortly after giving birth.

How does my provider diagnose depression?

To determine if you have depression or another mental health condition, your Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services provider meets with you in person or virtually via telehealth. They complete a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation by asking questions about your medical history, mental health, lifestyle habits, and mood.

Your specialist also discusses your emotions, thoughts, moods, behaviors, preferences, and treatment goals. They personalize a holistic plan that’s best suited for you.

How is depression treated?

Your Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services provider offers therapy and medication management to treat depression and other mental health challenges. They may offer treatment in person or from the comfort of your home or office, providing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other mental health services.

Your specialist may prescribe you medication for depression, medication to ease worrisome symptoms, and help you enjoy life to its fullest. This includes vitamins or minerals that can get plenty of sleep and eat nutritious food.

Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation at Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services by phone or request one online today to get evaluated or treated for depression.