Depression

If getting out of bed each morning feels unbearable due to extreme sadness, turn to Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services in Woburn, Massachusetts and Bedford, New Hampshire. The team of mental health specialists diagnose depression and offer holistic treatments, boosting your mood and enhancing your quality of life. Schedule an in-person or virtual mental health evaluation by phone or request one online today.

What is depression?

Depression is a condition that affects your mood, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It’s characterized by severe or long-lasting sadness that negatively affects your way of life, including relationships, your job, or school. 

If depression diminishes your quality of life or you’ve had thoughts of suicide, see a Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services provider for an evaluation.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression can cause the following symptoms:

• Extreme sadness
• Loss of hope
• Feeling worthless 
• Guilt 
• Shame
• Anxiety
• Substance misuse 
• Thoughts of suicide
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Social isolation
• Weight loss or gain
• Sleep changes
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Physical aches or pains

Depression can feel debilitating in severe cases. It may come and go seasonally or appear during difficult life situations. If depression negatively affects you, treatment offers relief.

What can increase my risk of depression?

While the cause of depression isn’t always known, its risk factors may include:

• Anxiety
• Other mental health conditions
• Low self-esteem
• Having few or no friends
• Lack of strong social support 
• Getting bullied
• Family history of depression
• Job loss
• Financial challenges
• Loss of a loved one
• Divorce
• Stress
• Substance misuse
• Medical conditions

Seasonal depression may occur during the cold winter months and disappear during warmer months. Postpartum depression develops in some women after they give birth.

How does my provider diagnose depression?

To determine if you have depression or another mental health condition, your Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services provider meets with you in person or virtually via telehealth. They complete a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation by asking questions about your medical history, mental health history, medications, lifestyle habits, and more. 

Your specialist also discusses your emotions, thoughts, moods, behaviors, preferences, and treatment goals. They personalize a holistic plan that’s best suited for you.

How is depression treated?

Your Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services provider offers therapy and medication management to treat depression and other mental health concerns. They meet with you at the practice or from the comfort of your home or office, providing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other therapies that reduce depression. 

Your specialist may write you a prescription for depression medication to ease worrisome symptoms and help you enjoy life to its fullest.

It’s also important to minimize stress, get plenty of sleep, eat nutritious foods, maintain an ideal weight, and exercise regularly.

Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation at Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services by phone or request one online today to get evaluated or treated for depression.