Think you may have depression?
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a complex and serious condition. To be diagnosed with MDD, one must experience five of the following nine symptoms, occurring nearly every day during a period of at least two weeks. In addition, having MDD means that one has difficulty functioning in life, that the symptoms are not caused by an underlying medical or mental heath condition, and that there has not been a recent loss of a loved one: *
- Low or irritable mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Significant change in weight or appetite
- Too much or too little sleep
- Slowed or agitated body movements
- Deflated energy levels
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thoughts of suicide**
Whether or not you meet the above criteria, if one or more of the symptoms are present and resulting in suffering or difficulty, psychotherapy and Mind-Body Therapy may be helpful. Stephen has had training, experience, and success in treating depression, whether it be diagnosable MDD or sub-clinical (milder) forms of depression.
* This information is not meant to inform a self-diagnosis, as diagnosis can only be made by a qualified mental health or medical professional. It is, however, presented in order to educate you about what signs and symptoms to look for so that you can reach out to the right professional for help.
** If you are having thoughts of committing suicide, call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or call 1-800-LIFENET (1-800-543-3638) for immediate assistance.