Depression is a general term for depressive mood disorders that are characterized by low moods and sadness. While depression disorders are mental health conditions that can debilitate life, they can be treated. Identifying the signs and symptoms of depression in your life can give you the information you need to start seeking the treatment method that can best work for you. So, what are the signs and symptoms of depression people who think they may be struggling with a depressive disorder should look out for?

Identifying What Depression Is

Depressive mood disorders lead to symptoms of depression including prolonged periods of sadness that can last for weeks or even months. The negative emotions that come with living with a depressive disorder are debilitating in that they keep people from doing daily tasks and enjoying things they previously took enjoyment in doing (interests, hobbies, etc.).

Depression is something that is:

• a mental health condition
• commonly diagnosed (7.8% of Americans have depression)
• addressable and manageable with treatment
• diagnosable in people of all ages, races, creeds, genders/sexes, and professions

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Depression?

Recognizing the symptoms of depression in your life can give you the information you need to make a decision to get help through treatment. And, manage symptoms of depression with professional help.

Some of the signs and symptoms of depression can include:

• low feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anger
• being apathetic about people, activities, and past interests
• exhaustion and fatigue
• eating more or less than usual
• trouble with self-esteem and self-confidence
• experiencing less pleasure in everyday life
• thoughts or behaviors of self-harm and suicidal ideation

What is the Diagnosis Process for Depression Like?

To get a diagnosis for a depressive disorder, a person must be experiencing symptoms of depression for more than a couple of weeks. Mental health manuals are utilized during the diagnosis process to help psychiatric professionals understand a person’s likelihood of experiencing a depressive disorder. So, during the diagnosis process, you’ll be asked questions about the symptoms you’re experiencing, your medical and physical history, and other things that are required of the diagnostic materials to make an accurate diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment planning can help to determine which therapies and treatment methods may be best for each individual depending on symptoms experienced and the type of depressive disorder that’s been diagnosed.

Getting Help for Depression With a Diagnosis and Treatment

Do you find that you or a loved one is experiencing some or even all of the signs and symptoms of depressive disorders? Getting a diagnosis can help you determine the best course of action for treatment. Delray Integrative Medicine provides support for people who are experiencing and struggling with the signs and symptoms of depression. So, if you think that you or a loved one is living with depression, we can help you determine an accurate diagnosis and also give you options for treatment that are comprehensive and individual to your needs and goals for treatment.

Learn more about our outpatient treatment services for people living with depression on our website. And, reach out to us to get started on your mental health treatment and recovery journey today.