Psychiatry Associates Blog

Everyone is familiar with the concept of depression, and many have experienced it firsthand.  Estimates state that as many as 15 percent of adults will suffer from depression at some point in their lives.  Still, despite its prevalence, there is a lot about depression that many do not understand.  When, how, and why depression strikes can look vastly different from one patient to the next, largely based on the specific type they are battling.  Unbeknownst to a large portion of Americans, there are actually several forms of depression outside of the well-known Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), including the following five.

Picture someone who is depressed.  What do you see?  You may envision someone who looks tired and unkempt.  Perhaps they are crying and struggling to get out of bed.  This is the image of depression that has been projected for decades.  Depression is supposed to be a major disruption of someone’s life, a drastic shift from who they normally are, right?  In the case of major depressive disorder or a depressive phase of bipolar disorder, these images may be somewhat accurate.  However, depression is a chameleon, and it can look and feel different in nearly every individual.  In some cases, this means that spotting the signs of depression is far more difficult than we would like to believe.

As 2017 continues and we begin to settle back into our day-to-day lives, it is vital that we commit ourselves daily to mental health and self-care, especially if you struggle with depression. Easier said than done, right?

Maybe it’s the rain. The chill in the air. Or, maybe, it’s the reduced sunlight exposure that accompanies the shortened days of fall and winter. If you’re one of the many people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the colder months are more likely to be filled with anxiety and depression than jolly and cheer. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, SAD is a form of depression that recurs seasonally—either in the winter or summer. If you’re struggling with SAD, depressive episodes occur more frequently—nearly every day—during the coinciding season.

The road to depression management is a long, arduous journey. But if you’re encountering these roadblocks, the detours can become too discouraging to continue. Learn more about these roadblocks and talk to your counselor today about how to navigate back to your road.

As the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, some Baton Rouge residents may be realizing that their depressed moods were the effect of the wintry days, torrential rains, and overcast skies that have been plaguing Louisiana over the past few months.

But for the many Louisianans who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, you know that a change in season isn’t enough to banish the ills. You’ve discussed chemical anti-depressants with your doctor. You’ve tried one. Or two. Or ten. But none of the medications are working. At least, not for very long.