Contact Information

Western Wake Counseling & Psychological Services, PLLC

8000 Regency Parkway
Suite 530
Cary, North Carolina 27518

Phone: 919.467.3831

Fax: 919.467.1611

Definition:
Everyone at one time or another has felt depressed, sad, or blue. Being depressed is a normal reaction to loss, life's struggles, or an injured self-esteem. But sometimes the feeling of sadness becomes intense, lasting for long periods of time and preventing a person from leading a normal life. Depression that has these characteristics is a treatable medical condition called major depressive disorder, one of a number of depressive illnesses. Types of depression include: Major depression, chronic depression (dysthymia), bipolar depression, and seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder or SAD).
Types of Depression:
  • Major depression
  • Bipolar Depression
  • Chronic Depression or Dysthymia
  • Seasonal Depression
  • Psychotic  Depression
  • Postpartum Depression 
Signs and Symptoms:
  • Sadness
  • Loss of enjoyment from things that were once pleasurable
  • Loss of energy
  • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Insomnia or excessive sleep
  • Stomachache and digestive problems
  • Sexual problems (for example, decreased sex drive)
  • Aches and pains (such as recurrent headaches)
  • A change in appetite causing weight loss or gain
  • Thoughts of death, suicide, or self-mutilation
  • Self-mutilation or attempting suicide