Depression

Depression occurs when feelings of extreme sadness or hopelessness last for a period of time and begin to interfere with the normal activities of daily life. Depression frequently accompanies anxiety disorders but can also occur on its own.

Depression is a medical illness; it’s not just feeling “down in the dumps” or a little sad for a few days. It’s feeling down and hopeless for weeks at a time. Symptoms can include changes in appetite or sleep patterns, low energy, lack of interest in activities or hobbies, fatigue, overeating or under eating, and lack of focus. Sometimes the source is obvious, such as a major life stressor, but often depression develops more gradually over a period of time with no apparent cause. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is extremely beneficial in the treatment of depression and can help the client identity and understand the problem and work on altering the negative thoughts and behaviors surrounding it.