Depression:
What’s Your “Enemy” Like?

What Is Clinical Depression?

Depression is a leading health concern around the globe that is growing at an unbelievable rate. According to Seligman, “There is 10 times more major depression in people born after 1945 than in those born before.” There are estimates that 35-40 million Americans “will suffer from major depression at some time during their lives.” About 50 percent of them are expected to suffer from recurrent symptoms.

Clinical depression is characterized by the occurrence of a major depressive episode. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, it “is a condition in which a person feels discouraged, sad, hopeless, unmotivated, or disinterested in life in general.” The condition can interfere with your everyday life or activities and affect your interactions with other people.

Beyond Blues

Depression isn’t just about feeling sad. It has symptoms that will change a lot of things in your life. It can zap your energy, making you feel sick and weak. It can distort your mental processes and make focusing extremely challenging. It can make you lose or gain weight as you eat and sleep too little or too much.

It is not always easy to recognize the symptoms of depression. They can take on many guises, so you may think it is a medical condition or another emotional condition, such as anxiety. Without treatment, the symptoms are not likely to dissipate. If they persist for two weeks or longer or they become too intense, it is best to see a therapist. A trained professional can diagnose you and assess your symptoms as a basis of treatment. Seeing a professional is the first step in overcoming depression.

Recovering from Depression

Hitting rock bottom happens to many people. It can trigger an avalanche of negative feelings and depression, but there is no reason to stay there. If this happens to you and you can’t seem to extricate yourself from its powerful grip, find help from Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC. Though it may seem like things will never be right again, stay positive, because depression is treatable.

If you call Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC, an independently contracted therapist can work with you to help you bounce back from the overwhelming symptoms of depression.

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