Depression Treatment Specialist in Peachtree Corners GA, and Asheville, NC

Depression is a type of mental health disorder that causes negative emotional and physical factors that often interfere with the patient’s day-to-day life and their ability to function normally at work, school, or home. It can be distinguished from the feeling of being depressed as depression will often have no obvious “in the moment” cause for the increased feelings of sadness but often leads to general negative thoughts and feelings towards themselves and the world. Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders to develop, often not displaying symptoms until the patient is in their late teens to mid-twenties, but can be effectively treated or managed through psychotherapy, medications, or treatment involving both. Almost all patients who receive the right treatment will be able to find relief from their experienced symptoms, making depression the most treatable mental health disorder. However, without treatment, symptoms are likely to only continue to worsen.

There are several different types of depression, with clinical depression (also commonly referred to as major depressive disorder) being the most common and most severe type of depression. Clinical depression can be broken down into three different sub-types, including prenatal or postpartum depression, seasonal depression, and atypical depression. The other main types of depression include persistent depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It is also common for those suffering from other health conditions such as heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and hypothyroidism to develop depression due to changes in the body that have occurred from the other health condition. Additionally, those with other types of mental health disorders will often develop depression as well, particularly in those who suffer from anxiety or bipolar disorder, and episodes of depression during episodes of manic or hypomanic disorders.

While depression is well-known for causing patients to experience very regular or persisting feelings of depression, there is a variety of symptoms that those who suffer from depression are likely to experience as well. The most common symptoms of depression include but are not limited to the following:

• Frequent feelings of worry, frustration, irritation, or hopelessness
• Lack of joy or enjoyment while engaging in activities that have historically brought about positive feelings
• Increase or decrease in appetite (often leading to changes in weight)
• Chronic fatigue or lowered energy
• Developing sleeping conditions such as insomnia or hypersomnia
• Difficulty with memory and concentration
• Struggling to make decisions
• Experiencing physical symptoms such as frequent stomach aches, headaches, or sexual dysfunction
• Thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide

It is very common for those who are suffering from depression to experience multiple symptoms that may vary quite a bit in severity and frequency. These symptoms will be used to determine whether a patient has a depression disorder, as well as the severity and type of the disorder. In order to receive a depression diagnosis from a physician or therapist, patients will need to be experiencing at least 5 different symptoms of depression on a daily basis for at least two weeks that typically last for the entire day.

There is no one known cause of depression, but there are several factors that have been shown to contribute to the development of the disorder. These potential factors include an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain (i.e., serotonin and dopamine), if there is a parent or sibling that has been diagnosed with depression, if difficult and stressful life events occur (more often a trigger for the symptoms to develop), specific substances (some medications cause the side effect of depression), and other medical conditions. Those who suffer from chronic health conditions such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, or diabetes are more likely to develop depression as well. Any one of these factors could lead to a depressive disorder developing as they are all common triggers or increased risk factors.

Specialized and quality care is available at Ascension Solutions Treatment Clinic. We serve patients from Peachtree Corners GA, Asheville NC, Swannanoa NC, Johns Creek GA, Woodfin NC, Biltmore Forest NC, Fairview NC, Roswell GA, Dunwoody GA, Pittsburg GA, Western North Carolina, and the surrounding areas.