What are some of the symptoms of clinical depression?

There are distinctive symptoms associated with clinical depression. The most common symptoms of clinical depression include:

Feelings of sadness — One of the most common symptoms of clinical depression is sadness. While it’s normal for everyone to experience feelings of sadness every now and then, sadness that lasts more than a few weeks could be a sign of clinical depression.

Prolonged sense of hopelessness — Someone with clinical depression may feel like they have nothing worth living for, or that their life is in such a state of disrepair that there can be no coming back, having thoughts like “Nothing will ever change,” or “Good things never happen to me.”

Feeling irritable or easily angered — A person who’s been diagnosed with depression may also feel excessive irritability or be quick to become angry. They may be set off by little things that typically would not cause a person to anger quickly. Someone with depression may lash out frequently at those around them, especially their friends and loved ones.

Loss of interest in regular activities — People who have depression often experience disinterest in the activities that they normally partake in. For example, someone who loves to paint might not want to paint anymore as a result of their depression.

Having trouble focusing — Depression often causes issues with focusing, which can especially affect one’s performance in school or at work. Someone with depression may also have a hard time concentrating on a particular topic during conversation.

Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much — Depression can often interfere with sleep habits. It may cause a person to get too much sleep or to struggle to get enough sleep at all.

What are some of the most common causes of clinical depression?

The exact causes of depression aren’t well known; however, there are factors that experts believe increase the risk of developing this disorder. Some of these factors include:

Stressful or traumatic life events.

Family history of clinical depression.

Recently giving birth.

Going through menopause.

Substance use disorder.

Chronic or traumatic injuries.

What are some effective treatment options for people with clinical depression?

Fortunately, there are several treatment options that can be effective for people who are dealing with clinical depression. Some of the most effective options are:

Psychotherapy — Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a type of talk-based treatment where a patient and a licensed clinical therapist talk through the symptoms of a mental health disorder. Talk therapy implements certain evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, for example.

Antidepressants — Certain antidepressants may help alleviate or reduce the symptoms of depression that interfere with daily functioning.

Increasing physical activity levels — Getting enough exercise each day can promote increased chemical release in the brain and combat some of the symptoms of depression.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy — One treatment option for severe clinical depression is TMS therapy. TMS therapy is effective for people who have clinical depression that is resistant to traditional methods of treatment. This type of treatment uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the mood center of the brain to reduce depression symptoms.

Active Path Mental Health can provide you with high-quality professional treatment for your clinical depression

We understand how significant of an impact clinical depression can have on your life. It can steer your life out of control and leave you with feelings of overwhelming sadness. Depression is known to affect the ability to function daily, interpersonal relationships, and quality of life. Fortunately, treatment from our Active Path Mental Health team can help you achieve greater control over your symptoms. With us, you’ll get the treatment you need to manage your clinical depression symptoms and begin experiencing a better quality of life. Let us help you.

Active Path Mental Health is proud to say that patients can receive treatment from locations in both Oregon and Washington. The team members at each one of our locations are dedicated to helping patients recover from their mental health disorders, including clinical depression. But don’t just take it from us, take it from our patient reviews.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.