Almost 5% of American adults experience consistent regular symptoms of depression. This may seem like a small number, but that’s millions of people. Battling depression is challenging and even harder if you’re trying to do it on your own. What is depression anyway, and how do you know if it’s time to start seeking help at a “depression clinic near me?”
What Is Depression?
Depression (sometimes known as major depressive disorder) is a common and often severe mental health condition. While many think that depression is just sadness, it’s more profound. Depression tends to be long-term. For someone to be considered depressed by a psychiatrist, they need to have felt consistently low for at least two weeks without any sign of symptoms improving. While two weeks is the minimum, many people experience depression for months, years, and even decades.
Many say a chemical imbalance causes depression, but it’s not simple. While there may be a chemical imbalance in the brain, research also suggests that people with depression have a smaller hippocampus than people without it.
Depression can also be situational. People may experience depression after a traumatic event. Some people also experience depression during the winter months, a seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Depression is a severe mental health condition that can be life-changing.
Signs You Need Help With Your Depression
How do you know if you would benefit from depression treatment? What signs of depression should you be looking for? Note that not all depression symptoms indicate that you have a major depressive disorder. Again, symptoms should be consistent for at least two weeks if you want to start treatment. Here are the signs that it’s time to look for a “depression clinic near me.”
Fatigue and Poor Concentration
One of the first signs of depression that people notice is constant fatigue and a sudden inability to concentrate. When you’re depressed, your sleep is likely going to be disrupted. Some people experience an inability to sleep at all, while others find that they’re sleeping far more than they were before and then staying in bed all day. Depression, even without poor sleep, can cause brain fog. Brain fog makes it difficult to focus on tasks and can damage your performance at work or school.
An Inclination Toward Substance Abuse
For the average person, a drink now and again is no big deal. Even people with depression can manage their alcohol consumption, depending on whether or not they’re on medication. People with depression, however, are more inclined toward substance abuse. Many people use it to self-medicate, even if they don’t realize that’s what they’re doing. If you find that you’re using alcohol or other substances more frequently to handle your mental health, it might be time to seek help.
Mood Swings
While many people only think of depression as someone being “sad,” it can result in various moods. Depression can cause irritability, anger, sadness, apathy, and more. People may switch from one mood to the next without warning. Minor inconveniences suddenly turn into huge problems. You may miss your bus, and even though the next one will be there in ten minutes, you get angry or start crying. A small argument with a friend may trigger a depressive spiral. It’s normal to experience occasional moodiness, but if everything is setting you off, depression might be the culprit.
Thoughts of Suicide or Self-Harm
This is a serious sign that it’s time to get help. Suicidality or thoughts of self-harm, even if you know that you wouldn’t harm yourself, are signs of severe depression. Seek immediate help if you’ve been having consistent thoughts of suicide or self-harm. If you’ve made a plan for suicide or harming yourself, it may benefit you to visit the ER for stabilization until you can find consistent help for your depression.
Withdrawing from Friends and Family
Withdrawing is a more subtle sign of depression that many overlook at first. It’s also one that you can identify in others. If you or someone else has started withdrawing from social groups, it might be time to seek help. It’s not often that people want to withdraw. They may feel too tired to engage or like they don’t deserve company. Self-isolation is common, though social people can still experience depression.
Finding Help for Your Depression
If you’ve noticed several of those signs, it might be time to seek help. Deciding to seek help can be scary, but it might be the best thing you do for yourself. If you know that you need intensive treatment, find a mental health clinic. You’ll be able to choose the appropriate level of care for your situation. Treatment is often covered by insurance, including Medicare.
Mental health professionals can create a treatment plan that includes both therapy and medication management, so you can start taking your life back. Look for local “depression clinics near me” to find one that suits your needs. Never be afraid to reach out and ask for more information; remember, mental health professionals are there to help.
Do You Need a “Depression Clinic Near Me?”
If you’re ready to take the first steps on your healing journey, it’s time to look into a “depression clinic near me.” This is a big step, but it’s one you won’t regret. Depression is serious, and you deserve to recover. At Comprehensive Wellness Centers, we understand how scary and overwhelming depression and other mental health disorders can be. We also know how hard it is to seek help.
Learn more about our mental health program and contact us for more information.
