Let's Talk About Depression

An estimated 17.3 million Americans have had at least one major depressive episode. Data from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Agency (SAMHSA) found that 8.7% of females and 5.3% of males have struggled with Major Depressive Disorder in 2017. The prevalence of this disorder was highest among those aged 18– 25 years of age.

Many people are suffering in silence to this invisible disorder. A person can be going to school or work with their classmate or coworker respectively and not know that they are depressed. Depression has caused many people to miss school or work due to its debilitating mental and emotional effects.

I will provide you with some insight into the common symptoms a person can
experience when dealing with depression. A person must have at least five (5)
symptoms during the same two (2) week period and at least one (1) symptom must be a depressed mood or loss of interest based on criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V).

What is a depressed mood?

• Feelings of sadness and/or emptiness.
• A person may have a depressed mood most of the day or nearly every day.

What is diminished interest?

•  Loss of interest in previous pleasurable activities.

What is appetite change?

• An increase or decrease in appetite nearly every day.
• A person may have weight gain or loss.

What is a sleep disturbance?

• Trouble falling and staying asleep.
• A person may have early morning awakenings or increased sleep.

What is low energy? 

• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.

What is hopelessness? 

• Feelings of worthlessness marked by excessive or inappropriate guilt.

What is poor concentration?

• Diminished ability to think or concentrate.
• A person can be very indecisive nearly every day.

What is a suicidal ideation?

• Recurrent & persistent thoughts of killing one’s self.
• The person in question does not need to have a plan for committing suicide
  to have a suicidal ideation.

What is psychomotor agitation and retardation?

•  Feelings of being easily angered or slowing down.

How do we combat depression?

• Seeking a mental health provider for therapy services to address coping skills
  and maladaptive behaviors.
• Evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner and/or primary
  care provider.
• At work or school, keep all school counselors and employee assistance
  programs in the loop so they can provide resources.
• Maintain all medication management appointments.
• Depression can be treated with medications such as antidepressants.
• Non-medication forms of treatment can be cognitive behavioral therapy,
  electroconvulsive therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation.

We here at Genesis Psychiatric Solutions are here to help in any way that we can.
Please feel free to contact us at (703) 955-0915 or email at info@gpsmindset.com.

Author

Dr. Ifeanyi Olele Ifeanyi Olele, DO, MBA, MS, is a board-certified psychiatrist who sees adolescent and adult patients in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area at Genesis Psychiatric Solutions. Dr. Olele is a dedicated psychiatrist in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma-related stress disorders, and attention deficit disorders. Dr. Ifeanyi Olele is one of the few psychiatrists who utilizes psychotherapy (talk therapy) as part of his treatment plan.