DEPRESSION AND OTHER MOOD DISORDERS

The symptoms of depression vary from person to person, and treatment differs depending on the severity of your depression. Depression can affect the way you eat and sleep, how you feel about yourself and your attitude toward life. You may experience problems with concentration and decision-making, negative or obsessive thoughts, low self-esteem, excessive guilt, self-doubt, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, or exhaustion. Depression can cause anxiety, irritability and an inability to control your emotions.

Depression is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. Without treatment symptoms may worsen but, with appropriate professional intervention, depression is a highly treatable condition. The length of treatment will vary, according to the severity of your depression and problems that need to be addressed. Therapy sessions are typically scheduled once per week.

Therapy for depression can help you:

• Improve mood and outlook
• Regulate eating and sleeping patterns
• Reduce stress, anxiety and agitation
• Better understand the underlying cause of your depression
• Return to a higher functioning level
• Increase interest and enjoyment in activities of daily living and
  social interaction
• Create a supportive and non-judgmental social network