Depression

Depression is a severe mood disorder affecting people of all ages, including children and teens. At Gladwell LLC, a telehealth-based psychiatric and mental health practice in Renton, Washington, board-certified nurse practitioner Catherine Donnerstag, NP, provides high-quality, personalized care for depression. Call today or schedule your depression consultation online. Telehealth services are available to patients in Maryland and Washington, with an on-site office opening soon in Seattle.

I feel sad a lot. What should I know about depression?

It’s not unusual to feel sad from time to time. But if you feel sad all day every day for two or more weeks, you probably have depression.

Depression is a mental illness. It affects your thinking and feeling, making it hard to handle routine activities. Depression symptoms include:

• General low mood 
• Lack of energy
• Feeling hopeless or helpless
• Disinterest in activities you enjoy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in sleep
• Changes in appetite
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Researchers believe that depression develops from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. You can develop depression at any age, but it’s more common in adults.

What types of depression are there?

A persistent low mood is the primary symptom of depression, but there are different types with varying symptoms and causes. Common types of depression include:

Major depressive disorder (MDD)

MDD is a persistently low mood that lasts two or more weeks and significantly affects your normal activities.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

SAD is depression that shows up during the times of the year when there’s less sunlight, usually in the fall but lifts as the sun shines more, as in late spring and summer.

Perinatal depression

Perinatal depression (postpartum depression) affects women during and after pregnancy.

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD)

PDD is a chronic, mild depression that lasts two or more years.

Psychotic depression

Psychotic depression is a severe depression during which the person experiences hallucinations and delusions.

Bipolar disorder

People with bipolar disorder suffer mood episodes that fluctuate between mania (feeling very happy) and depression..

It’s not unusual for depression to be accompanied by other mental health conditions like substance use disorder (SUD) and anxiety disorders. You can also have depression with chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

When should I seek help for depression?

You should seek help for depression at Gladwell LLC if your low mood interferes with your usual activities. Depression isn’t something you can snap out of or just get over. It’s estimated that about 60% of adults with mental health concerns don’t get the care they need.

How is depression treated?

Catherine takes a traditional, evidence-based approach to depression. She believes mental health is intimate and personal and that no one-size-fits-all approach will work.

Your plan to lift depression can include psychotherapy, medication management, and lifestyle changes.

Call Gladwell LLC today or schedule an appointment online to receive the depression treatment you need.