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Depression: Recognizing the Signs and Taking Action

Apr 01, 2023
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Depression is one of the most common illnesses diagnosed on a worldwide scale— how do we recognize the signs, and prevent it from continuing to run rampant?

It is estimated that approximately 280 million people in the world have depression. Depression doesn’t discriminate, it affects children, adults, and older adults alike. It not only affects the way we feel about ourselves and the world, but it can alter the way we think, eat, and sleep. At its worst, depression can lead to thoughts and acts of dying. 

At South Florida Psychiatry, our providers specialize in helping individuals to overcome a wide range of mental health issues, including depression.

Let’s take a closer look at how depression can affect almost every area of your health and how we can partner together to help.

Pulling the curtain on depression

Depression can present in ways other than a low mood, including:

  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Low energy
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Feeling hopeless about the future Low-self worth
  • Changes in sleep
  • Alterations in appetite which can lead to shifts in weight
  • Thoughts of dying

During a depressive episode, the person experiences significant difficulty in a variety of life domains, such as their personal and family affairs, and even in their educational and work endeavors.

Mental health issues associated with depression

In addition to the tight grip that depression may have on your life, it is also highly linked to other problems such as:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Substance Abuse
  • Eating disorders

Did you know that anxiety disorders and depression have a strong overlap? Individuals with one of these diagnoses have as high as a 60% chance of experiencing the other. Additionally, research has shown that one in three individuals with depression also suffer from some form of substance abuse or dependence.

Depression and the body

While depression is considered a mental health condition, it is not exempt from affecting our physical vessel. Depression can impact the body and cause:

  • Bingeing, overeating, weight gain, obesity, OR the complete opposite; loss of appetite, weight loss due to failure of eating nutritious foods
  • Stomachaches, cramps, constipation, malnutrition
  • Rapid heart rate
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes

Regaining control of your body and mind

Our goal at South Florida Psychiatry is to partner with you in your journey to recovery. We do this by discussing all methods of treatment­– all supported by the latest research. Our providers will work with you to create a plan that is tailored to your needs and comfort level.

Psychotherapies that are supported to treat depression include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Interpersonal Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
  • Problem Solving Therapy (PST)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression (ACT-D)

In addition to psychotherapy, medications are also considered an effective method of treating depression. Medications can be used for relieving depressive symptoms and can promote an internal sense of peace which helps individuals better grasp techniques and skills discussed in psychotherapy.

The risks of letting depression go untreated can be dangerous for an individual’s mental and physical health. That is why our goal at South Florida Psychiatry is to work with you to achieve optimal mental, emotional, and physical health. 

For expert treatment and an individualized plan that is centered around your needs, we invite you to contact our office in Town Center One in Miami, Florida, to schedule a consultation.