What is Depression?
Depression-related disorders are often misunderstood and are sometimes even misdiagnosed. Depression can occur for a variety of reasons or for no reason at all. Some people experience a normal range of sadness and depression after a major life event, such as: the loss of a job, the death of a family member or friend, chronic illness, etc. However, depression is considered to be a clinical issue once the symptoms have persisted beyond two weeks and is impacting multiple areas of functioning. If you are experiencing a significant number of symptoms and it is negatively impacting areas of your life, then it is recommend that you contact a mental health professional to get evaluated and potentially diagnosed.
What is depression? Depression in of itself is not an official diagnosis. There are different official diagnoses used to categorize what kind of depression that you may be experiencing.
Here are the specific types of depression (and their symptoms) that you can be diagnosed with:
Major Depressive Disorder
Depressed mood
Changes in weight + or –
Sleep issues (too much or too little)
Fatigue and low energy
Low interest in activities that you used to enjoy
Brain fog or concentration issues
Thoughts of death or suicide
Feeling hopeless, worthless, excessive feelings of guilt
Irritability and anger
Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia)
Symptoms have been present for at least 2 years
Feelings of sadness
Loss of interest and pleasure
Difficulty thinking or concentrating
Changes in appetite
Sleep issues (too much or too little)
Fatigue and low energy
Low self-esteem
Anger and irritability
Depressed mood, low mood
Severe mood swings
Social withdrawal
Difficulty bonding with baby
Fatigue and low energy
Low interest in activities that you used to enjoy
Brain fog or concentration issues
Thoughts of death or suicide, or hurting the baby (thoughts of hurting the baby are different than wanting to hurt the baby)
Feeling hopeless, worthless, excessive feelings of guilt
Irritability and anger
Anxiety
Bipolar I or II Disorder (must also have a Manic or hypomanic episode)
Psychomotor agitation
Indecision and disorganization
Depressed mood
Sleep issues (too much or too little)
Fatigue and low energy
Low interest in activities that you used to enjoy
Brain fog or concentration issues
Thoughts of death or suicide (15 times greater with a bipolar diagnosis)
Feeling hopeless, worthless, excessive feelings of guilt
Irritability and anger
Cyclothymia( similar to Bipolar, but symptoms are less severe than hypomania)
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Extreme fatigue
Mood swings and excessive crying
Sleep issues (too much or too little)
Severe feeling of stress and anxiety
Feeling hopeless and sad
Irritability and anger
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Depressed mood
Changes in weight + or –
Sleep issues (too much or too little)
Fatigue and low energy
Low interest in activities that you used to enjoy
Brain fog or concentration issues
Sincerely,
Kylie Chaffin M.A., LMHC
Authors note:
Challenges in life often leave us feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and lonely. You don't have to do it alone. I provide a safe and supportive environment to discuss your concerns, discover your inner strengths and resources, and develop goals that focus on what matters most to you. I believe that counseling is a collaborative relationship built on trust, authenticity, and compassion. I provide services for a variety of issues, including: depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, abuse, stress, and postpartum depression. As a companion on your journey, I will assist you in the utilization and fine-tuning of your innate strengths and abilities. I have a Master's degree in Counseling and I am an EMDRIA approved EMDR therapist.
I am a licensed counselor in the state of Washington and I provide counseling at my office in Spokane
