Depression

Living with depression is like carrying an invisible load that makes each day an exhausting battle. When depression starts taking hold, talk to Emily Russ, PA-C, at Prevail Behavioral Health in Appleton, Wisconsin. With carefully selected medications and insightful therapy techniques, you can reduce depression and restore happiness. Reach out to Prevail Behavioral Health by phone or book an appointment online today to get depression’s weight off your back.

What is depression?

Depression (major depressive disorder) lowers your mood and affects your thinking. You find it hard to focus, can only see the negative aspects of any situation, and become overwhelmed with sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. You lose interest in things you usually enjoy and feel like a burden to your family and friends.

You might lose your appetite or eat more than usual. Similarly, some people develop insomnia while others sleep excessively (hypersomnia). Your energy levels will be low, and you might frequently have headaches, indigestion, and various unexplained aches and pains.

As depression worsens, you find it hard to manage work or school, and your relationships become strained. You might start self-harming or misusing alcohol and drugs. Severe depression can make you feel there’s no point continuing, so you start thinking about death and ending your life.

Why can’t I shake off my depression?

It’s impossible to cheer yourself up when you have depression because it’s an illness, so you shouldn’t feel bad or blame yourself for being miserable.

Studies on patients with depression show that they lack chemicals in their brains called neurotransmitters. These chemicals enable connections (synapses) to form between your brain’s neurons (nerve cells).

A lack of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine in your brain’s mood center reduces your ability to create new synapses, limiting function in that part of your brain.

Sometimes people develop depression for no clear reason. In other cases, there’s a trigger, which could be any significant life experience, such as:

• Trauma
• Grief and loss
• Relationship breakdown
• Long-term illness or pain
• Moving 
• Changing jobs
• Pregnancy and childbirth

Depression is also a symptom of mood disorders like premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), bipolar disorder, and dysthymia (a chronic form of depression).

Can I recover from depression?

Yes, it’s certainly possible to recover from depression, even if it reaches an advanced stage. However, it can take time, and you need professional treatment and support from experts like those at Prevail Behavioral Health.

After a comprehensive evaluation, your provider will likely recommend psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. Psychotherapy involves talking confidentially with a skilled counselor. They might use techniques that explore bad memories affecting your mental health or ones that boost self-esteem and give you tools to cope with daily challenges.

Call Prevail Behavioral Health to arrange an in-depth consultation, or use the online booking form to schedule an appointment today.