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Helpful Things to Know About Depression

Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP
A mural in Fort Worth, Texas near the Fort Wellness Counseling office.

In this article, I’ll define what depression is and summarize the most common type of depression, major depressive disorder.  I’ll provide you with a list of symptoms of depression, so you know what to look out for.  After reading this article, you’ll have a better understanding of what depression is and what it looks like.  

What is Depression

Depression is more than just having a bad day.  It’s more than feeling down when something isn’t going your way. Feeling hopeless or joyless is when you know something might be wrong. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 7% of adults in the U.S. experience depression every year.  While their are several types of depression, such as postpartum depression, the most common type is major depressive disorder. 

Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder is typically what people think of when they hear that someone is depressed. It’s a lot more prevalent than people realize. The criteria for major depressive disorder requires at least 5 of the symptoms listed below in the same 2-week period.  They also must represent a change in functioning; At least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

10 Common Symptoms of Depression

While no two people experience depression the exact same way, there are many common symptoms to watch out for.  Especially if you or a loved one just doesn’t seem like themselves lately. Here are 10 symptoms of depression:

  1. a persistent feeling of loneliness or sadness
  2. lack of energy
  3. difficulty concentrating or getting things done
  4. feelings of hopelessness
  5. getting too much (or too little) sleep
  6. irritability (more common in men, but can be experienced by anyone)
  7. eating too much or not enough
  8. loss of interest in enjoyable activities or socializing
  9. feeling guilty or worthless
  10. thoughts of death, suicide, or harming yourself
Symptoms of depression and icons that display low mood, changes in appetite, sleep disturbance, agitation, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Temporarily experiencing these symptoms during times of loss or grief is perfectly normal.  The loss of a loved one, a job, or even going through global pandemic, can all cause us to feel some of these things as we learn to adjust to what our lives will be like moving forward. However, if you are experiencing several of the symptoms almost daily for weeks on end, you could be experiencing true clinical depression.  

You Are Not Alone

Depression is often overwhelming. You know something is wrong, but you might not have the energy or brainpower to even know where to start to fix things. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you (or your loved one) diagnose, manage, and overcome depression. One of the best things you can do for yourself to cope with depression is by attending therapy with a therapist that is professionally trained to help you be the best you.  

If you would like to learn more information, you can learn more about the benefits of attending therapy and get a better understanding of when you should attend therapy with a therapist in Fort Worth.  If you would like to get scheduled for a therapy session, you can call us at 682-232-4003 or by clicking this link: schedule.  You can also contact us on the contact us page! If you know that you want to attend therapy with a therapist in Fort Worth for depression therapy but know that you don’t want to do it with me at Fort Wellness Counseling, that is no problem! If that is the case, check out this blog article that discusses how to find a therapist in Fort Worth. 

Stay Current

Like what you just read? If so, please follow us on Facebook so you can stay up to date with all the latest blog articles and stay in the loop.  You can also follow our Instagram page and LinkedIn page.  Lastly, be on the lookout for an upcoming article that I will publish soon that will include some self-help tips for depression and I will provide you some ways to reduce helplessness and improve your energy level. 

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