Information about Depression | Aragon Mental Health, Spokane, WA

Depression

We all have days when we’re sad, sometimes for no reason at all. These bad, sad days end and our mood returns to normal. But for people with depression, there’s no effortless climb back to a regular mood. Depression is a common, serious mood disorder that causes chronic feelings of deep sadness, along with lethargy and a loss of interest in once pleasurable activities. Depression affects a person’s thoughts, feelings and actions. A person’s sleep is often disturbed, and concentration becomes difficult.

For a person to be diagnosed with depression, these symptoms have to cause significant problems and distress in a person’s life. If these symptoms are caused by substance or drug abuse or a medical condition, a person likely doesn’t have depression. It takes a combination of at least five of the following symptoms happening daily over a period of at least two weeks for depression to be diagnosed. As well, it takes a professional, licensed healthcare provider to diagnose depression.

Depression is marked by:

Ongoing feelings of deep sadness or an inability to feel any emotion at all that are present all day, every day, for at least two weeks.
Elevated anxiety or irritability.
Insomnia or sleeping too much.
Feelings of hopelessness or despair.
Feelings of guilt.
Anxiety.
Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
Decreased interest in socializing or self-isolating behavior.
Lethargy, lack of energy.
Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood.
Talking or moving slowly.
Restlessness.
Poor concentration, impaired memory, trouble making decisions.
Change in appetite.
Persistent thoughts of death or suicide.
Aches and pains without a cause, like stomach aches, headaches, cramps.

Depression is a highly treatable condition and although it’s a painful, wrenching condition, there’s hope. If you think you might be suffering from depression, please seek help from an experienced psychiatric nurse practitioner who can help you understand what you’re feeling and how to get back to feeling yourself again.

Damaris Aragon, ARNP, BC provides a full-spectrum of mental health care to people in Spokane, Washington and surrounding areas. She focuses on providing personalized care that adheres to current evidence-based standards. Reach out to Damaris through her contact page or calling 509-342-6592.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or harming yourself in any way, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK (8255) or visit their website: Suicide Prevention Lifeline

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