Depression

Feeling down in the dumps and losing hope are signs of depression that you don’t have to live with. One in 10 people in America reports living with depression. At Envision Wellness Medical Group in Columbia, South Carolina, the highly trained mental health specialists diagnose and treat depression to maximize your mood, thoughts, and emotions. Schedule an evaluation by phone or request one online today.

What is depression?

Depression is a condition that affects your mood and emotions. It can be situational or, when not addressed, long-lasting.

While nearly everyone feels sad now and again, depression is a more severe form of sadness that can cause crippling symptoms when left untreated. Contact Envision Wellness Medical Group at the first sign of debilitating problems.

Which symptoms does depression cause?

Depression can cause the following symptoms:

• Extreme sadness
• Loss of interest in favorite things
• Sleep changes
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Appetite changes
• Social withdrawal
• Drug or alcohol misuse
• Thoughts of suicide
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Fatigue
• Body aches

Depression can develop after a traumatic or sad life event or appear for unknown reasons. Its symptoms range from mild to severe.

What can increase my risk of depression?

While the exact cause of depression isn’t always clear, its risk factors include:

• Family history of depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Other mental health disorders 
• Traumatic experiences
• Bullying
• Being part of the LGBTQ community
• Physical health problems
• Lack of a solid social support network
• Autism
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Financial difficulty
• Addictions

You might develop situational depression after losing a loved one, a job loss, divorce, or another life-altering situation or event.

How does my specialist diagnose depression?

To diagnose depression and determine the most appropriate treatment, your mental health provider discusses your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. During a psychiatric evaluation, they ask about your mood, thoughts, emotions, and behavior patterns before personalizing a treatment plan.

How is depression treated?

Envision Wellness Medical Group offers many treatments for depression, including:

• Individualized counseling sessions
• Couples and family counseling
• Group therapy sessions
• Grief counseling
• Faith-based counseling
• Parenting support
• Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy or counseling)
• Medication management
• Lifestyle coaching

Your specialist could recommend meeting with you weekly or as needed for counseling. You might take medication and make lifestyle changes like eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, minimizing stress, and seeking addiction treatment.

Follow up with your mental health specialist whenever needed to ensure positive outcomes, and call Envision Wellness Medical Group any time with questions.

Schedule an evaluation today at Envision Wellness Medical Group by phone or request one online to be evaluated and treated for depression.