The 21st century has brought a change in American culture with regard to mental health transparency. More celebrities than ever are speaking openly to the media about their battles with depression in the hope of reducing the stigma surrounding mental conditions and psychotherapy. For example, the action star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has tweeted that “Depression never discriminates.” The actor Jon Hamm, who has struggled with depression, stated in an interview, “We live in a world where to admit anything negative about yourself is seen as a weakness, when it’s actually a strength.” And A-list pop stars like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga have also spoken up about their experiences with depression. It is always a sign of strength to get the psychological help that you deserve. And everyone deserves to feel good.
The licensed depression counselors and psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Fort Wayne, IN can diagnose, treat, and help prevent depression. They do it with a variety of effective, evidence-based approaches like using psychotropic medication to correct chemical imbalances and providing psychotherapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). With compassion and expertise, the depression counselors at Thriveworks can help lift clients out of the deep mental ruts that they land in through no fault of their own.
Common Depressive Symptoms
The latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) describes several attributes of depression that have to be present for two or more weeks for someone to be diagnosed with depression. The symptoms must also indicate a change in previous functioning. The following signs may indicate depression:
- An enduring depressed mood (feeling acute sad and/or negative)
- Anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities)
- Overwhelming feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Psychomotor retardation (slowed-down thoughts and actions)
- Psychomotor agitation (sped-up thoughts and actions)
- Sleep issues like insomnia or inability to get out of bed
- Changes in libido (sex drive)
- Appetite changes and unintentional weight gain or loss
A primary care doctor or psychiatrist will want to rule out other medical conditions–e.g., a thyroid problems or a vitamin deficiency–that could cause depression before developing a treatment plan.
When Is the Best Time to Treat Depression?
The best time to treat depression is early. The earlier a depression counselor at Thriveworks in Fort Wayne, IN can intervene, the better a client’s prognosis will be. If you have a history of depression and feel another episode coming on, you should seek help as soon as possible. Untreated depression can lead to physical and lifestyle problems like the following:
- Self-isolation
- Job loss
- Estrangement from friends and family
- Sleep disturbances
- Substance abuse
- Heart disease
- Weight gain
- Physical pain
- Compromised immune system
But later is always better than never when it comes to treating depression.
Depression in Women: What You Need to Know
Women may experience peripartum (formerly postpartum) depression disorder in addition to bipolar depression (manic depression), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), dysthymia (depression lasting longer than two years), and major depression. Women are more vulnerable to depression right after giving birth than they are at any other time in their life.
Women’s depression may also manifest in different symptoms from their male counterparts. For instance, depressed women may get diagnosed with depression more often than men because they tend (for cultural reasons) to show more outward emotional signs, like crying when they’re sad. And men may be more likely to express their depression as anger or irritability. But of course there are many exceptions to these generalizations.
Psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Fort Wayne, IN may take gender into account when prescribing medications like SSRIs to treat depression because they must consider body fat percentages (which tend to be higher in women) and hormonal fluctuations. They must also consider a medication’s potential risks if a depressed woman is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Get Immediate Help from a Depression Counselor at Thriveworks in Fort Wayne, IN
The depression counselors at Thriveworks in Fort Wayne, IN pride themselves on being available quickly to clients who need them. When you call the Thriveworks office, our staff can usually arrange to have you meet with your therapist within 24-48 hours. Our licensed mental health providers accept most health insurance, making depression counseling affordable–as well as essential. In addition, our therapists offer online appointments in addition to in-person appointments. This means that Thriveworks clients can choose to meet with their top-rated depression counselors virtually via a secure telehealth connection, at the modern office in Fort Wayne, or consider a hybrid model for sessions–whatever is most convenient for them.
Thriveworks clients enjoy additional benefits like email and phone access to their provider between sessions, and our exclusive e-book on depression.
Don’t neglect to get the psychological help you deserve with an exceptional depression counselor at Thriveworks in Fort Wayne, IN.
