Depression / Anxiety

Depression/Anxiety Q & A

Everyone has a bad day once in a while, where you feel sluggish or not quite yourself. It’s normal. We all feel sad from time to time, too. However, if you’re bad days outnumber the good, or you can’t seem to shake feelings of sadness, you may be suffering from depression. The doctors at Annandale Primary Care in Annandale, Virginia, can help you get back to enjoying life to its fullest. Call or schedule an appointment online today.

What is depression?

There are several forms of depression, ranging from mild to severe. And any depression can cause mental and physical symptoms because it’s caused by an imbalance in important brain chemicals — serotonin and norepinephrine — which affect pain as well as mood.

Common symptoms of depression include:

Sleeping too much or too little (insomnia)
Fatigue
Lack of energy
Trouble focusing
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or sadness
Anxiety
Mood swings
Loss of interest in activities
Loss of appetite
Excessive crying
Thoughts of suicide
Weight gain or loss
Joint or lower back pain

Situational depression is very common. It can be brought on by a divorce, job loss, or death in the family. You might need help getting through this rough patch, but the depression usually passes in a short amount of time.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) happens during winter months or the rainy season when you get less exposure to sunlight. This type of depression usually goes away as the sun appears more often in spring and summer.

People with long-term depression, or clinical depression, have a constant feeling of despair. Those who seem always to have a gloomy personality or are continually complaining may have persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia). Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is characterized by extreme mood swings from high energy to major depression.

We’re all individuals, and different people have different symptoms of varying severity. With depression, you need to be aware of how often the symptoms occur, how long they last, and how severe they are. Having feelings of intense sadness for weeks or even months is not normal and consulting a medical professional should be done as soon as possible.

What help is available for depression?

Depression comes in many forms, and you should not let it control your daily life. It is a very treatable medical condition. The qualified doctors at Annandale Primary Care listen to your concerns and work with you to develop the best treatment plan for your depression. It may include prescription medication or lifestyle changes. Contact the office today to start your journey back to enjoying life.