When you have depression, it’s more than feeling sad. Intense feelings of sadness and other symptoms, like losing interest in things you enjoy, may last for a while.
Depression is a medical illness, not a sign of weakness. And it’s treatable.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Depression affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and depression may make you feel as if life isn’t worth living.
Depression is more than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness, nor is it something that you can simply “snap out” of. But don’t get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychological counseling or both.
You may be worried about depression for many reasons:
You can’t stop feeling sad or crying.
You often feel angry.
You’ve lost interest in things you love.
You’re having a hard time dealing with stress.
Depression affects one in 10 — or nearly 15 million — adults in the U.S. If you think you might be depressed, don’t try to tough it out. Make an appointment with a doctor or therapist.
Therapy is a key part of depression treatment. While it might not work as quickly as medication alone, some studies show that certain types of psychotherapy may help your medication work faster and have more lasting benefits.
Counseling and Therapy
How it works: You may need to talk to several therapists until you find the perfect fit for you. You can take part in therapy either one-on-one, with your spouse or family, or in a group. Your therapist will help you determine what is right for you.
