Everyone feels down sometimes, which is normal, but some people feel sad for long periods of time. Behavioral health centers, such as Rising Phoenix Wellness Services offer depression treatment help that can make those long periods of sadness feel less debilitating. Believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, depression is a chronic illness that affects over 18 million Americans. It affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men. Experts say that individuals with a family history of depression are up to three times more likely to experience depression themselves. Depression can be very difficult to manage without proper treatment. This is especially true when it is accompanied by other illnesses, which it often is, such as anxiety or substance abuse disorder. The illness can make an individual’s daily routine feel crippling and worthless. Recognizing symptoms of depression and taking action by seeking help can alleviate the negative effects it causes.
Environmental Triggers
There are many environmental triggers that can cause or worsen the symptoms of a depressive episode. While people have different triggers, common ones include the loss of a job, relationship problems, or having a poor self-image. In today’s age of the COVID-19 pandemic, situations that can trigger a depressive episode have become increasingly more common. An increased number of children, adolescents, and adults have reported experiencing some level of depression during the pandemic. Social distancing and isolation may lead to feelings of loneliness, boredom, and harm people’s social life. Many people have lost their jobs or have taken pay cuts which create financial stress. For those still working away from home, fear of getting sick or passing the virus to a loved one may make them feel constantly on edge and fearful. People that have lost loved ones may be experiencing grief and intense sadness for the first time. The pandemic has created a lot of adversities people have not had to handle to this degree before. These adversities all have the potential to worsen or trigger symptoms of depression.
Symptoms of Depression
Depression does not look the same for everyone. Some people may experience a sense of hopelessness and sleep disturbance while others may feel fatigued, weight fluctuation, or lose interest in previous hobbies. Symptoms may be more severe for some and less for others. People also experience mental illness for different lengths of time. There is no one way a person experiences depression. With that said, here are a few common symptoms of depression:
- Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much.
- A significant loss or gain in weight.
- Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless throughout the day.
- A disinterest in day-to-day activities or hobbies.
- The inability to concentrate.
- Irritability, especially for younger individuals.
- Recurrent thoughts of death or self-harm.
Depression can be severely debilitating to live with. It can affect an individual’s work performance, social connections, and many more aspects of their life. Simply getting out of bed, showering, and getting ready for the day can feel like a major feat on its own. Activities that once made them feel joy, can feel empty or boring. Some people may feel less inclined to talk to or spend time with their friends, family, or partners. They may be highly irritable and tension in relationships can arise. Seeking proper treatment can be beneficial not only for the individual battling with depression but also for their friends and family.
Treatment for Depression
Treatment for depression is available in Scottsdale AZ at Rising Phoenix Wellness Services. The facility offers a variety of resources and professional psychologists to help those battling mental illness. Depression treatment usually involves counseling and, depending on the severity and individual, medication. There are a couple of different methods therapists will use to help alleviate symptoms and treat a depressed patient. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the main tools therapists will use to treat depression. The focus of CBT is to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their depression. The therapist works with the client to help them recognize the negative patterns of thought and behavior and then change them to be more positive and understanding. They may also introduce the client to some coping skills they can do at home. This can include activities such as going on a walk, reaching out to friends, or having them commit to doing a hobby they used to really enjoy. If considering taking medication for depression, it is necessary to talk to a doctor or psychiatrist about which one(s) will suit the individual best.