Depression

Depression is one of the most common psychological disorders and will affect almost everyone at some point in their lives. People suffering from depression might experience extreme sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, weight loss or gain, insomnia, lack of energy, inability to concentrate, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Depression Treatment Buckhead

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

The depressed individual loses interest in formerly important people/activities
Depressed individuals are more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs, due to their temporary antidepressant effects
The individual can experience a sleep disorder such as insomnia
Thoughts of death or suicide on a regular basis
There may be concentration or memory issues which affect his/her ability to function at work or school
There may be excessive recurrent thoughts about the loss that triggered the depression or other negative perceptions

How Depression Can Affect You

Depression is a psychological disorder that can affect how you think and feel, as well as your social functioning and sense of physical well-being. We have all felt sad, tired, or discouraged at one time or another, but this is not depression. These feelings usually pass once we adjust to the new stresses in our lives. If these feelings continue to intensify and begin to interfere with your daily life (including work or schooling), it may be depression.

Once identified, most people with depression are successfully treated. Unfortunately, many people with depression are not diagnosed since the symptoms can strongly mimic physical illness. In fact, nearly two-thirds of depressed people do not get proper treatment.

Psychotherapy Treatments for Depression in Atlanta

Dr. Drutman and Ms. Schechtman are qualified to diagnose depression and to create and execute a specialized treatment plan. Depression is usually treated with either psychotherapy, medicine, or a combination of the two. Behavior therapy focuses on techniques that retrain you to think and react to events differently. This approach attacks the depression as a set of symptoms and treats the problems at a symptom level. For many people, it is an effective and long lasting treatment. Medications can help relieve the most severe symptoms, but it does not normally treat everything. It is recommended that medicine be used in conjunction with psychological therapy.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your sadness and depression has become so intense that they interfere with your daily routine or cause you great distress, it is time to contact a professional. A licensed mental health professional is highly qualified to diagnose and treat anxiety disorders.

To learn more about the psychological treatments available for depression at the Atlanta Behavioral Consultants, please contact Marsha Schechtman, LCSW at 770.753.4911 or Howard Drutman, Ph.D. at 678.867.7020.