There are millions of adults in the United States who silently cope with depression. Join Maryvale today in expressing support for National Depression Awareness Month, a moment to reflect on the risk factors for depression as well as the many paths to healing.
Depression Deserves to Be Acknowledged
Like so many mental health disorders, many people who suffer from depression either deny that they are suffering or are unaware that they need help. Clinical depression affects men and women of all ages, regardless of race, background, or economic status. Depression can come and go – being diagnosed with depression is not a life sentence. However, all too often, people of all ages mask the symptoms of depression to avoid stigma or keep up with daily life pressures. When clinical depression goes untreated, it can develop into a severe mental illness that puts people at an increased risk of self-harm, suicide, or an inability to cope and go about their day-to-day lives. Another barrier that prevents some people from taking note of or dealing with depression properly is that it can co-occur with other medical and mental health conditions, from anxiety and bipolar disorder to heart disease, a physical disability, or cancer. When depression occurs in tandem with another illness, it can be a complicating factor that makes it difficult for a person to find clarity and healing across all of their symptoms. These obstacles may account for the fact that only about 35% of people who suffer from severe depression are getting the care they need from a mental health professional.
If you are on the fence about whether or not you might be suffering from depression, ask yourself the following questions:
- Have you been feeling sad without a single, defined cause?
- Are you sleeping through the night? Do you struggle to feel rested?
- Have you recently lost or gained a significant amount of weight without trying to?
- Do you struggle to enjoy activities you used to love?
- Are you low on energy?
- Do you ever imagine your own death?
- Do you fight to concentrate or stay engaged in what you’re doing?
Answering “yes” to several of these questions indicates that you might be among millions of Americans suffering from depression. If this is the case, don’t panic – you aren’t alone! And there are several therapeutic approaches that can support your path to healing.
Treatment Options for Depression
In some instances, depression manifests through an intense depressive episode. In just as many other examples, depression bubbles under the surface and can be difficult to detect or measure. Depending on the severity of a person’s depression, various treatment options are available. What matters first is to learn as much as possible about depression, to become unafraid of it, and be eager to work through it.
Mental health practitioners will be able to provide the best path forward. A common set of treatments for depression can include medications, therapy, and self-care. Medications treat chemical imbalances in the brain. Various types of therapy, from talk therapy to group sessions to family care, can all be essential for building a stronger relationship between a person and their feelings. By building the skills and desire to untangle one’s feelings, a person becomes empowered to approach their life from a fresh perspective, eliminate unhelpful patterns, and make positive changes. Self-care often takes the form of lifestyle shifts, from eating healthy and exercising to reducing alcohol intake. Seeking support from friends and family is another form of self-care that can have lasting benefits and can prevent feelings of helplessness or isolation.
At Maryvale, we approach mental health by considering a person’s full experience, including their family relationships and cultural background, to build the most robust possible foundation for a healthy, productive life. We encourage you to take ownership of your mental health today and every day, and our team of mental health practitioners and community partners is here to support you.
