Depression

Depression can drag your mind down into desperately dark places if you don’t receive timely treatment. Keilah Ford, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, of KADDs Wellness in Houston, Texas, adopts a holistic approach to ensure she addresses everything contributing to your depression. Whether you have major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, or a related problem like bipolar disorder, Dr. Ford can help. Call KADDs Wellness today and request an appointment to start your recovery journey. You can also book a telehealth or in-person consultation online.

How do I know if I have depression?

Depression can be difficult to identify at first. After all, it’s natural to feel down and unhappy occasionally, especially during challenging times. However, if your low mood persists for more than a few weeks and you can’t shake it off, don’t let the problem worsen. The sooner you receive help, the quicker and easier it is to recover.

Common depression symptoms include:

• Difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping
• Appetite changes
• Irritability
• Odd aches and pains
• Social withdrawal
• Loss of interest in sex
• Headaches
• Chronic fatigue
• Poor work/school performance

Your emotions become almost exclusively negative, filling you with despair, self-loathing, extreme sadness, and unwarranted guilt. You lose interest in activities you usually enjoy, and your relationships deteriorate.

As depression progresses, unbearable mental anguish makes people self-harm and think about death. Around 1.7 million attempt suicide in the United States each year, with over 48,000 dying as a result.

How many kinds of depression are there?

Depression is the primary problem in mood disorders, which include:

Major depressive disorder (MDD)

MDD is the medical term for depression.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is an enduring condition that typically develops in adolescence or early adulthood. Patients switch between bouts of depression and periods of mania, where they feel energized, confident, and often reckless.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

SAD develops in people who don’t get enough light exposure, so it primarily affects Americans during the winter months.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

PMDD causes depression and other problems each month during a woman’s menstrual cycle.

People with anxiety disorders and conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can also experience depression.

Can I recover from depression?

Despite depression’s grim statistics, with the right help, you can recover or at least manage your condition successfully. At KADDs Wellness, Dr. Ford takes a personalized approach, treating each patient as a unique individual.

Your care may involve evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral (CBT) techniques and mindfulness practices. Additionally, Dr. Ford may prescribe antidepressants or other medications if necessary while always considering your holistic well-being.

Some incurable depression types, like bipolar disorder, might require ongoing medication, including antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Dr. Ford uses GeneSight® DNA testing to select medicines suited to your genetic makeup.

Patients with depression might also benefit from supplements like Kadds Women’s multivitamins.

Call KADDs Wellness today or book an appointment online for expert help gaining freedom from depression.