What Most People Don't Know About Depression

December can be a challenging month for people living with depression. The shorter days, colder, darker weather, and even the social and emotional pressures of the holidays can all contribute to a worsening of depression symptoms of persistent sadness, hopelessness, and feelings of aloneness.

If you or a loved one suffers from depression, it can be difficult to fully understand the complex mental health symptoms related to this condition. Depression sometimes looks like simple sadness, but actually living with depression is very different from having occasional sad spells or blue moods.

At Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates of North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, our compassionate and experienced care team, led by Dr. Ronald P. Winfield, understands what most people don't know about depression.

We can help you better understand your or a loved one’s struggles with depression and may be able to recommend treatment options to provide real help and support.

What you might not understand about depression

Depression that lasts over time is also known as major depressive disorder. Millions of people in the United States suffer from major depressive disorder.

Depression involves negative emotional symptoms, including sadness, worthlessness, despair, and a lack of interest in daily activities. Depression can damage your personal and professional life, as you struggle to cope with these symptoms.

However, depression isn’t necessarily a simple emotional problem. The mental health issues associated with depression often arise from complex causes, including past trauma and experiences of marginalization. Depression often impacts socially disadvantaged people, and afflicts more women than men.

Depression may also involve underlying issues including nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and chemical imbalances in your brain.

Finding support for depression

At Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates, we know that depression isn’t an easy condition to handle. That’s why we’re here to help. We diagnose mental health conditions including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and major depressive disorder.

If you or a loved one suffers from depression, we offer treatments and therapeutic approaches that relieve symptoms and address underlying issues. Our patients with depression potentially benefit from supportive services including:

• Psychotherapy and counseling
• Specific therapeutic approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Medication management
• Emotional support and stress management assistance during challenging times of year like the holidays

To learn more about how the care team at Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can improve life for people with depression, and to understand more about this complex mental health condition, get in touch with us today.

Schedule your appointment over the phone now, or book with our convenient and easy-to-use online tool.