Do you constantly feel sad? Do you lack interest in activities that you used to enjoy? Do you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning? Do you lack the energy and motivation to do things that you need to get done? Have you noticed significant changes in your sleep and eating patterns? Do you have feelings of hopelessness or helplessness? Do you have difficulty concentrating? Do you feel worthless or guilty? If so, then you may be struggling with depression.

What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder which is characterized by a frequent or constant sadness as well as withdrawal from or lack of interest in life. Everyone has depressed feelings or feelings of sadness at times throughout their lives. It is a healthy and normal reaction to difficult situations and life stressors. These feelings differ from clinical depression because they are transient, meaning temporary and short-lived. Additionally, these transient depressed feelings are not usually accompanied by additional symptoms of clinical depression such as feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

What are the symptoms of depression?

There are many possible symptoms of depression. Clinical depression affects people differently so not everyone has the same combination of symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:

· Depressed mood

· Loss of interest

· Inability to feel pleasure

· Significant changes in weight

· Changes in sleep, either sleeping too much or too little

· Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration (especially in children)

· Fatigue and lack of energy

· Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness

· Slowed speaking, thinking, or body movements

· Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt

· Trouble concentrating, difficulty remembering things, or making decisions

· Thoughts of death or suicide

For many of us, we can have temporary moments when we have some of these symptoms. However, people with clinical depression will feel this way for at least two weeks. For some, these symptoms will lessen after that episode and then return after a short reprieve. People with clinical depression have symptoms that are significant enough to cause problems in their day-to-day life, such as at work, school, in social settings, and in their relationships with others. Additionally, many people feel down and unhappy without knowing why they feel that way.

Depression in Children

Depression in children can look very similar to depression in adults. However, there are a few key differences. Younger children may be sad, irritable, clingy, worried, refusing to go to school, complaining about physical aches and pains, and exhibiting weight loss. A child may also start to be more disruptive and act out to the point that it interferes with their normal activities and social relationships. It is important to note that, like adults, it is perfectly normal and healthy for children to feel sad at times. If your child is sad but it is temporary and a reaction to a stressor, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your child has clinical depression. When the sadness lasts for many days, especially after a life stressor has ended, then it is important to have your child evaluated for depression. It can be very hard as a parent to differentiate between normal and healthy sadness and clinical depression. It is important to remember that there are a number of professionals in your area that can evaluate your child to determine if your child is struggling with depression.

Depression in Teens

Depression in teens can also look very similar to depression in adults and younger children with a few key differences. Some of the things to look for when you are worried that your teen may be struggling with depression are: sadness, irritability, loss in interest in previously pleasurable activities, feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor academic performance, poor school attendance, feeling misunderstood, being extremely sensitive, drug and alcohol use, self-harm, social isolation, and avoiding social interactions.

The teenage time frame is characterized by increased emotional reactivity and changes in interest so it can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between normal changes and clinical depression. It is important that you seek professional help as early as possible if you are concerned about your teenager. There are effective treatments available that can significantly help your teenager and they are most beneficial the earlier you start them. Always remember, it is much better to be proactive rather than reactive.

How can you treat depression?

Don’t worry, you are not alone. Many people struggle with depression and have learned how to deal with it effectively. It is important that you speak with a psychologist if you are struggling with depression. Your psychologist can help you learn new tools and skills to manage your depression more effectively and can also help you learn to more effectively respond to these feelings. During treatment, you will also explore your past to see if there are unresolved issues that are affecting your current mood.

Here at La Cañada Psychology, we take an integrative approach to treatment. We utilize various techniques that have been scientifically validated to treat depression, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) , psychodynamic techniques, dialectic behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness. Everyone is different and responds to the techniques differently, therefore we work on a variety of different options to find the best fit for you.

Call to schedule an appointment for depression treatment today!

If you are ready to take the next step and improve your depression, we offer a free phone consultation to see if we are a good fit. Please give us a call at (818) 495-5705 or click here to contact us today.

Depression Treatment