It is likely that depression is not a single disorder, but rather a cluster of disorders. Some experience depression primarily in their minds: they feel hopeless and worthless, and their perception of the world, themselves, and their future is bleak. Others experience depression largely in their bodies: they have no energy, they are fatigued, they may experience symptoms of burnout, they may simply want to escape the world around them, they have no appetite or a ravenous one, they struggle with insomnia or disturbed sleep or they may seem to sleep at the drop of a hat. Many have some combination of mind- and body-related symptoms of despair.

Not every depression is as severe. Moods can be compared to an elevator moving up and down, with the ground floor being “euthymia” – or a normal, tranquil state of mind. Just below the ground floor is “dysthymia,” often a persistent (typically two or more years) low mood marked by many of the features mentioned above. This is also known as chronic depression. The world is just bleak and you may simply be tolerating your life, at best. Even further below is Major Depressive Disorder. The difference between MDD and Dysthymic is not only the length of time (MDD usually requires only two months of persistent symptoms) but also of severity.

The good news is that depression of all types is treatable. Through psychoanalytic therapy we will unearth the causes or roots of these symptoms and develop strategies of awareness to shift your experience of yourself and the world around you. We may also utilize nutritional and functional medicine professionals to assist in lifestyle changes, as well as your medical professional to boost your serotonin levels. I look forward to walking with you during this difficult time.