Depression

What is depression? You feel very down because something happened or something changed and it’s getting to you.  For instance, you may be sad because you broke up with your partner, work is becoming overwhelming or perhaps someone close to you has died.  Sometimes, you might feel down for no reason and you wonder what’s wrong and why you can’t feel happy again.

There could be any number of reasons why life is tough right now, but depression just makes dealing with life so much harder.  Most people experience some form of depression at some point in their lives.  Note that you may feel depressed without even really knowing why.

How do I know if I’m depressed?  You may feel particularly sad, "down" or have very low energy.  You may cry more often, stay in bed or avoid activities you usually enjoy.  You might notice a big difference between the way you feel when you’re down versus how you used to feel when you were “yourself.”

Other signs may include:  You may also find changes in your appetite, difficulty concentrating or an inability to work, study or complete daily activities you may have otherwise found easy, such as cooking or cleaning.

How can seeing a Psychologist help for depression?

A psychologist could help you figure out why you’re depressed, what may be contributing to your depression, and what you can do about it.  Sometimes it can be hard to talk about you’re problems and stressors to someone else, especially a stranger. Know that you are not alone and depression is something that can be treated so that you can go back to living and enjoying your life again.