Depression

Everyone at some point in their life will feel blue or sad.  However, these feelings are fleeting and within a few days the person feels like themselves again. Depression is nothing like that. Depression has sneaky way of creeping into a person’s life. Whether it is a new parent who wants to bond with their baby or a college student trying to study for exams. Depression makes people think that life is not worth living.  When you have depression,your life is turned upside down. Depression affects your ability to function on a daily basis; including its effects on relationships, career, school, even tasks of everyday living, like brushing your teeth for a long period of time. Depression can cause physical aches and pain and even illnesses. Depression is serious.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health study in 2014, an estimated 15.7 million adults experienced a depressive episode. Depression is characterized by 5 or more of the following symptoms during the same 2 weeks timespan or more  (for more information please consult your doctor or seek a mental health professional in your state)

1. Depressed mood most of the day
2. Lack of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities you typically enjoy
3. Significant weight loss
4. Trouble sleeping almost every night
5. Feeling restless or slow moving
6. Extreme tiredness
7. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt daily
8. Inability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day
9. Suicidal thinking

If you are suffering  from depression please keep in mind the following: be compassionate , caring and kind towards yourself. Suffering from depression can be a frustrating and exasperating time. Depression is not a choice; it happens to people and there is hope. The causes vary so each person is unique therefore your recovery will be your own. Seek professional help: www.psychologytoday.com is a great starting resource if you do not know where to begin. Lastly, you are loveable and truly valuable.

Resources

National Institute of Mental Health. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Cautionary statement for forensic use of DSM-5. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).

BOH Blogger: Yaritza

Yaritza Zayas, MS, MFT, LPC

www.thesharecenter.net

Yaritza Zayas, is a Marriage & Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor . She is co-owner of SHARE Counseling & Therapy Services™, a private practice in Philadelphia, Pa. Yaritza graduated from Temple University with her B.S. in Human Biology and a minor in Anthropology. She earned her Master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Holy Family University.