Depression Specialist

What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder. It affects how you behave, think, and feel, and can seriously interfere with your ability to function at work, school, in social situations, and at home. You feel sad often and/or lose interest in activities or things that once brought you joy.

What are the symptoms of depression?

You may suspect you or a loved one is suffering from depression if you observe any of the following symptoms:

• Feelings of hopelessness or emptiness
• Loss of interest in most activities, including sex, sports, hobbies, and work
• Lack of energy
• Sleep disturbances — either insomnia or oversleeping
• Weight changes — either loss of weight or weight gain
• Feelings of worthlessness or self-blame

Many children with depression engage in rule-breaking behavior at school or home. Depression can also manifest as unexplained physical problems, including back pain and headaches. Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts are severe symptoms of depression.

Depression may be diagnosed if you experience any of these symptoms for two weeks or longer.

Will I get over depression on my own?

Depression isn’t just a period of sadness or “the blues.” It’s not a sign of weakness, but rather a likely chemical imbalance in your brain that needs treatment. Long-term therapy and medications can help.

How is depression treated?

At Buffington Family Medicine, Our wonderful providers will meet with you to do a thorough analysis of your mental health. Your home and work environment, medical history, and social support systems are also taken into account.

Antidepressant medications can help correct chemical imbalances that may be contributing to depression. You may notice an improvement in your symptoms after just a few weeks of use, but should continue to use the medications to ensure you don’t experience a relapse. It may take several adjustments in your dosage to find one that improves your mood.

Additionally, we can offer resources that can provide therapy to help reduce your depressive symptoms, improve your quality of life, and provide you with coping skills to prevent future depressive episodes.

You don’t have to live with sadness or a lack of motivation. Depression is a real medical issue that deserves treatment. Call Buffington Family Medicine for a consultation and improve your quality of life.