Depression
Depression is estimated to affect more than 15 million Americans each year. While everyone experiences periods of "feeling blue" or feeling "down," persistent symptoms should be evaluated carefully and never ignored. Below is a list of the typical symptoms of depression. While these symptoms are a suggestion of depression, only an assessment by a qualified mental health or medical professional can determine if an individual is actually suffering from depression.*
Some of the emotional/ psychological symptoms of depression are:
- Moods of sadness, despair, and emptiness
- Loss of interest in usual activities
- Feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt
- Apathy, low motivation, and social withdrawal
- Excessive emotional sensitivity
- Negative, pessimistic thinking
- Irritability, low frustration tolerance
- Suicidal ideation or thoughts of death
Some of the psychological symptoms of depression are:
- Sleep disturbances: early morning awakening, frequent nighttime awakenings, occasionally hypersomnia
- Appetite disturbances: increased or decreased, with weight gain or loss
- Fatigue, low energy
- Decreased sex drive
- Restlessness, agitation, or psychomotor retardation
- Diurnal mood variation: usually feeling worse in the morning
- Impaired concentration and forgetfulness
- Pronounced anhedonia: total loss of the ability to experience pleasure
The therapists of Fayetteville Psychotherapy Associates have helped many Northwest Arkansas individuals deal with their depression and move on to lead more fulfilling lives through individual therapy.
*The information provided above is not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. Only a qualified medical or mental health professional can provide diagnostic informtion, advice, or treatment.
