You may be wondering "Am I depressed?"

Everyone feels down now and again.  Sadness or grief can be a normal reaction to certain stresses or losses.  But if you notice yourself feeling down for two weeks or more, or if your mood is interfering with work, school, or your relationships, you may be having symptoms of depression.

What are the symptoms of depression?

• mood problems - feeling sad, empty or depressed most of the day; sometimes this can be just "feeling blah"
• anhedonia - no interest or joy in activities that used to make you happy
• sleep problems - insomnia (difficulty falling asleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much); or you  may find yourself repeatedly waking during the night and having problems getting back to sleep
• concentrations problems - difficulty staying focused, remembering details or making decisions
• exhaustion - fatigue or lack of energy even if you are getting enough sleep
• weight or eating problems - losing weight (due to lack of appetite) or eating too much as a way of soothing your mood
• self-esteem problems - excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness

Are there warning signs of depression?

There are some signs of depression that you should never ignore - indications that you have a severe form of depression that requires immediate intervention:

• intense thoughts about death or suicide - especially if you are considering a plan to harm yourself or taking actions to prepare yourself or your loved ones for when you are gone
• intense mood swings - if you find your moods cycle suddenly and beyond your control between sad, euphoric, or enraged
• psychotic symptoms - if you are hearing voices, experiencing paranoia, or delusions please get help immediately.

If you feel unsafe - that you might harm yourself or someone else - call 911 or go immediately to your nearest hospital emergency room.  Austin's mental health hotline is available 24/7 at (512) 472-HELP.

Is there help for depression?

Absolutely!  There are many different approaches to help with symptoms of depression (cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, lifestyle changes such as diet, sleep and exercise, and medication treatment)

Psychotherapy for depression is a proven way of getting help for your symptoms.  If you'd like to learn more about counseling for depression in Austin please call for a complementary consultation.

Sarah Walker, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

(512) 627-9633          dr.sarahwalker@gmail.com