Depression

When depression develops, it can overwhelm everything positive and pleasurable, leaving you despairing. Visit Tioana Maxwell, PsyD, and the team at Bridging the Gap Psychological Services in Greater Houston area, Texas, if you develop depression that won’t subside. They offer comprehensive therapy that restores happiness to people struggling with depression. If you’re in the Greater Houston area and are interested in treatment for depression, call the office or request an appointment online today.

If I feel blue sometimes, do I have depression?

It’s not unusual to have low moods now and then, especially when things aren’t going well. These bouts of the blues aren’t anything to worry about as long as they pass and you feel fine in between. However, if you’re always down and nothing shakes the sadness, you could have depression.

People with depression can’t shrug off a bad day. They feel increasingly despairing and hopeless, unable to see anything positive about life and losing interest in activities they usually enjoy. Other depression symptoms include:

• Difficulty sleeping (or sleeping too much)
• Appetite changes
• Random aches and pains
• Irritability
• Self-loathing
• Social withdrawal
• Loss of libido
• Headaches
• Chronic fatigue
• Poor work performance
• Self-harm

As depression deepens, you might struggle to care for yourself, eat properly, or even get out of bed. You might think about death often and consider suicide the only solution to your unbearable pain.

Why do I have depression?

Depression’s causes are complex and mysterious. You’re more likely to become depressed if mental health problems affect other family members, so there’s likely a genetic component. Your upbringing, environment, general health, and stress levels can all increase your risk of depression.

People often find depression sets in after a challenging experience, such as losing a job, a relationship breakdown, or the death of someone close. Even happy events can trigger depression if they’re very stressful. Depression can also develop for no obvious reason.

While its causes aren’t always clear, research shows that the neurotransmitter levels in your brain fall when you have depression. Neurotransmitters are chemicals your brain uses to make communication networks (synapses). Lacking chemicals like serotonin and dopamine is common when you have depression.

How can I get relief from depression?

Depression is a severe psychiatric disorder that rarely improves without treatment. However, you can recover with help from an expert like your provider at Bridging the Gap Psychological Services.

The team specializes in using psychotherapy to help people with depression. Techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and family systems therapy help you manage the problems depression causes in daily life. You could also benefit from mindfulness practices to reduce stress.

If your depression is moderate to severe, you might need antidepressant medication. Drugs like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) improve the neurotransmitter function in your brain’s mood center, helping reduce symptom severity and increase therapy benefits. Your provider can refer you to a specialist for medication while continuing to provide you with therapy.

Call Bridging the Gap Psychological Services for help with depression, or book an appointment online today.