Depression

Depression isn’t just feeling blue or experiencing a slump in your mood; it’s a serious mood disorder that profoundly affects your life and health. A thorough assessment from Thomas A. Arzt, LCSW, BCD, in Miller Place, New York, an experienced and trained professional, can help you better understand your depression and the steps you can take to feel better. Depression is treatable. Call the office or schedule your depression assessment online today.

What is depression?

Depression is a serious mood disorder that profoundly affects your life and health. It causes you to feel intense emotional pain that negatively affects how you think and act. 

Depression isn’t just a low mood or something you can simply get over. It’s a mental health condition that affects your physical and emotional well-being, causing you to:

• Withdraw from friends and family
• Avoid activities that bring you joy
• Disrupt your sleep
• Trigger thoughts of hurting yourself or ending your life

Sleeping all day to avoid the emotional pain of depression doesn’t move life forward. With proper professional care, depression is treatable and doesn’t have to be permanent.

What are the types of depression?

Depression is common and may occur from many causes, including genetics, stressful situations, or underlying health problems. Determining what form of depression you have and the root cause helps Tom direct your treatment.

Types of depression include:

Major depression

Major depression is the most common type, causing you to feel sad and hopeless all day for two or more weeks, affecting your ability to function normally.

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD)

PDD causes less severe symptoms, allowing you to continue participating in daily life. However, your low mood lasts two or more years.

Perinatal depression

Perinatal depression is a type of depression that affects women during pregnancy or after they deliver the baby (postpartum depression). 

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

SAD is a type of depression that comes and goes with seasonal changes, usually appearing when the days get shorter in the fall and going away when the days get longer in the spring or summer. 

What happens during a depression assessment?

Tom follows a medical model when assessing depression. He finds this approach provides a more holistic view, helping him better understand the relationship between your mind, emotions, and body.

His thorough assessment focuses on finding what form of depression you’re struggling with and how best to treat it.

What treatments can improve depression?

Tom customizes your depression treatment plan based on the results of your assessment. He takes a direct approach to psychotherapy, giving you straight answers to your questions and concerns. 

Tom may use various therapeutic techniques to ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). 

Depression has a profound impact on your life, but you can get help. Call the office of Thomas A. Arzt, LCSW, BCD, or schedule an appointment online today.