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Depression

Aren’t There Different Types of Depression?

by Dr. Sarah Allen
separator

Yes and my blog below explains about the different types! It is important to know what type of depression you have so therapy is geared to the correct treatment.

 

 

Dysthymic Disorder or Dysthymia

This is when symptoms are mild to moderate and they have been around for two or more years. These chronic symptoms that may not be severe enough to disable a person but it makes it very difficult to live life to the fullest or even remember better times. You may not enjoy being with other people or get excited for an upcoming event that people usually find enjoyable. If you suffer from dysthymia, you may feel like you’ve always been depressed. Or perhaps you think that your continuous low mood is “just the way you are.” People with dysthymia are also at risk for experiencing one or more episodes of major depression during their lifetimes. However, dysthymia can be treated, even if your symptoms have gone unrecognized or untreated for years.

Minor Depression

This is similar to the way people feel when they have dysthymia but for a shorter time. People can have some depression symptoms for 2 weeks or longer but not meet full criteria for major depression. Without treatment, people with minor depression are at high risk for developing major depressive disorder so it is important to reach out for help sooner rather than later.

Major depressive disorder

This can also be called major depression, and it is when the depression symptoms mentioned earlier are severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities. Major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. Some people may experience only a single episode within their lifetime, but more often a person may have multiple episodes.

Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances. They include:

Psychotic depression, which occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having  irrational and disturbing false beliefs or a break with reality (delusions), or perhaps hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations).

Postpartum depression, which is much more serious than the “baby blues” that many women experience after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth. See …..for more details of pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), happens when people only get depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression symptoms generally lift during spring and summer. SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of those with SAD do not get better with light therapy alone but psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone or in combination with light therapy and in some cases medication.

Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, is not as common as major depression or dysthymia. It is characterized by cycling mood changes—from extreme highs (e.g., mania) to extreme lows (e.g., depression). Mania which can include impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, rapid speech, and little to no sleep switches to depression, usually the symptoms of major depression. Typically, the switch from one mood extreme to the other is gradual, with each manic or depressive episode lasting for at least several weeks. However, although it can look similar to major depression, the treatments for bipolar depression are very different. In fact, antidepressants can make bipolar depression worse.

Any type of depression can make you feel helpless, hopeless, empty and numb. It might seem that you have been feeling this way forever and there’s no hope of feeling better but there’s a lot you can do to take back control and change how you feel. With help and support, you can overcome depression and get your life back.

The key to recovery is to start small and take things one day at a time. Feeling better takes time, but you can get there with the support of professionals who are trained to help.

SIMPLE STEPS TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION ebookI put together this booklet with strategies I am always giving to my clients firstly, because they help and secondly, so clients can have something handy to refer to between sessions.

I am a big believer in giving handouts about the strategies we talk about during sessions because I think it is hard to remember everything. I also give new clients a folder so they will be able to keep all this information in one place. A sort of emotional health toolbox to get out and read when you need it.

Not everyone is able to come and to see me though so I decided to make these strategies available to everyone and I hope you find this booklet helpful too. I think it is a great way to get started but it is hard to do this on your own so please contact me with any questions you may have after reading it.

Add your first name and email in the box below and you will be sent the steps to download your FREE book and begin your journey to feeling better.

You've just been sent an email that contains a confirmation link. Check your SPAM/JUNK folder if you don't see it within a couple of minutes. In order to activate to receive your free booklet, click on the CONFIRM link and you will be sent a second email with the booklet. It may also be in your SPAM folder.

Please call 847 791-7722 or email me on the form below if you have any questions.

Also, I have several blog posts on my blog about depression and other issues that can affect the way you feel.

    Dr. Allen's professional license only allows her to work with clients who live in IL & FL and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients.

    How Do I know If I Have Depression?

    by Dr. Sarah Allen
    separator

    Sometimes people have been feeling less than happy for such a long time that it feels like their normal state and they may only start to question whether they have depression after a loved one has pointed it out. Surprisingly, symptoms of depression are not always connected to your mood and emotions, they can be physical too. Read on to see if you have been experiencing any of the symptoms below.

    Common Emotional Symptoms of Depression

    • Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. This can include thinking that nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.

    • Loss of interest in daily activities. Maybe you have lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure or perhaps former interests, hobbies and social activities no longer hold any interest.

    Dr. Allen specializes in treatment for depression

    • Anger or irritability. Perhaps you are feeling agitated, restless, or even so angry that you are violent or fear you might  be. Depression makes our tolerance level very low, our temper is on a short fuse, and everything and everyone just gets on your nerves.

    • Self-loathing. You might be harshly criticizing yourself for perceived faults and mistakes. These are usually followed by strong feelings of worthlessness, guilt or shame.

    •Reckless behavior. In order to try to escape such difficult feeling you might start to engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.

    Common Physical Symptoms of Depression

    • Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain is often an indicator of depression. Some people feel they just don’t have an appetite any more while others push down their feelings with emotional eating

    • Sleep changes. This can be either sleeping too little (insomnia) , difficulty getting off to sleep or waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping and sleeping during the day when most people are active (hypersomnia).

    • Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Depression can make your whole body feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting and overwhelming or may take longer than usual to complete.

    • Concentration problems. People often describe this as feeling foggy headed or they have trouble focusing, making decisions, and remembering things.

    • Unexplained aches and pains. We can feel depression in our body, not just our head. When depression hits it is often accompanied by an increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, achiness and stomach pain.

    So what should you do if these symptoms are familiar? Reach out for help and support! Depression can have an enormous negative effect on your life but treatment is available and you can start to enjoy life again.

    SIMPLE STEPS TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION ebookI put together this booklet with strategies I am always giving to my clients firstly, because they help and secondly, so clients can have something handy to refer to between sessions.

    I am a big believer in giving handouts about the strategies we talk about during sessions because I think it is hard to remember everything. I also give new clients a folder so they will be able to keep all this information in one place. A sort of emotional health toolbox to get out and read when you need it.

    Not everyone is able to come and to see me though so I decided to make these strategies available to everyone and I hope you find this booklet helpful too. I think it is a great way to get started but it is hard to do this on your own so please contact me with any questions you may have after reading it.

    Add your first name and email in the box below and you will be sent the steps to download your FREE book and begin your journey to feeling better.

    You've just been sent an email that contains a confirmation link. Check your SPAM/JUNK folder if you don't see it within a couple of minutes. In order to activate to receive your free booklet, click on the CONFIRM link and you will be sent a second email with the booklet. It may also be in your SPAM folder.

    Please call 847 791-7722 or email me on the form below if you have any questions.

    Also, I have several blog posts on my blog about depression and other issues that can affect the way you feel.

      Dr. Allen's professional license only allows her to work with clients who live in IL & FL and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients.

      See related post: Isn’t There More Than One Type of Depression

      Northbrook Therapist Helps Depression And Anxiety In Chicago Northshore

      by Dr. Sarah Allen

      I was really quite nervous the day that a reporter from the Northbrook Star came to interview me about my practice and the work I do in the community. I have talked with the press quite a bit in the past because of my role as spokesperson for the Postpartum Depression Alliance of IL and […]

      Read the full article →

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