Depression is an emotional state of persistent sadness, hopelessness, or irritability. While feeling depressed occasionally for a few days is a normal part of everyday life, low mood or losing interest in things every day for at least a couple of weeks suggests clinical depression. Depressive disorders are common, affecting around 7% of adults in the US each year and is the leading cause of disability in adults younger than 45 years old.
There are several different types of depressive disorders that differ based on how severe the symptoms are, how long they last, and whether the depression occurs in particular contexts:
Major depressive disorder is a depressive disorder that leads to intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness lasting for at least 2 weeks that interferes with one's ability to function in both personal and professional life.
Dysthymia, also called persistent depressive disorder, is a milder form of depression that typically lasts for at least two years.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a depressive disorder that typically starts in late fall and early winter and tends to improve during spring and summer.
Depression that develops within 6 weeks of giving birth.
Rappore takes a patient-centered approach to care, building a treatment plan centered around you. You complete a personal assessment, the Rappore Mental Health Fingerprint®, which helps match you with a psychotherapist or psychiatrist that best meets your needs. At your initial evaluation, your clinician uses the information from the questionnaire to help create your personalized treatment plan.
There are many effective treatments for depressive disorders. The suffering and disability caused can be significant, and people deserve the latest scientific-based treatments. Correctly diagnosing a specific depressive disorder is key to long-term effective treatment.
Treatment may include psychopharmacology (medication management), psychotherapy, or both.
Psychopharmacology, also called medication management, refers to the practice of prescribing psychiatric medication. Psychotropic medication is thought to improve the way your brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. It is not uncommon to try several different medicines before finding the one that best improves your symptoms.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or counseling, includes various therapeutic modalities that help you develop better insight into your symptoms and develop strategies to improve how you think, feel, and behave. Specific types of psychotherapies include a number of evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and problem-solving therapy.