When you think about depression, you might picture a worst-case scenario like someone who constantly cries and doesn’t feel like getting out of bed. This stereotype can seem like the only “real” depression, but this mental health disorder can surface in different ways. Can you be depressed and not know it? It may seem unlikely, but many people suffer from this challenging mental illness without knowing how serious things have gotten. New View Wellness in Atlanta outpatient programs help people overcome their symptoms of depression and learn to live a full life again.
Is Depression a Mental Health Disorder?
Depression is a mental health disorder that falls under the heading of a mood disorder. It can strike anyone and often begins during the teenage years or early adulthood. Depression can be traced to a person experiencing a single event or series of events, such as abuse, an accident, a divorce, or the death of a loved one. On the other hand, some people develop depression without one specific cause. Like other mental health disorders, treatment from a professional program helps people understand their illness and work to reduce its impact on their lives.
Can You Be Depressed and Not Know It?
“Can you be depressed and not know it?” may seem like an odd question, but many people who have depression aren’t able to put a name to what’s going on. Too often, someone with depression thinks they just have episodes of feeling down or an extended case of “the blues”. They may mistakenly believe if they just work hard they can overcome it alone or it will disappear on its own.
Another confusing aspect of depression is that some of the symptoms may not seem like they are related to a mental health disorder. While feeling sad and despondent is part of depression, it can be written off as just a bad mood. Other symptoms that are often overlooked, such as feeling tired, having sleep difficulties, changes in appetite or weight, and difficulty thinking, are all part of depression. Many people also experience body aches, headaches, and digestive difficulties without realizing they come from being depressed. Finally, a person not knowing they are depressed can come from input from others. Family members and friends may tell the individual that they just need to shake it off or stop feeling sorry for themselves. This often makes it more difficult to reach out for help.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
If you find yourself wondering, “Can you be depressed and not know it?”, you can look for signs that you may need help. Common symptoms of depression include:
- Crying jags
- Always or mostly feeling low and sad
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Constantly feeling tired
- Job or school work suffers
- Relationships with family and friends suffer due to your emotions
- Unable to feel hopeful
- Suicidal feelings
- Drinking or using drugs to try to feel better
- Cognitive difficulties
- Isolating
- Unexplained medical issues like headaches, diarrhea, and nausea
- No longer interested in hobbies or attending social events
What Do I Do If I Need Help With Depression?
First, keep in mind that depression is a common mental illness. In 2021, 21 million adults in the U.S. experienced at least one major depressive episode. If you suspect you have depression, talk to your doctor or a therapist and ask for an evaluation. Once you have a diagnosis, you can put together a plan to get the treatment that fits your specific needs. If your depression proves to be quite severe, a residential program may be the best place to start. Otherwise, outpatient programs can give you the structured help you need. Outpatient plans allow you to live at home and travel to a facility for therapy sessions.
How is Depression Treated?
Depression is a complex illness and requires a multi-level approach to treating it. For some people, this mental illness is temporary and they can overcome it. For others, it proves to be a lifelong condition, but professional treatment can greatly reduce its impact. There are two major ways to treat depression and get real results. The first is attending different types of therapy that help people understand the nature of their illness. From there, they can develop healthy coping skills and learn to improve their symptoms.
Attending more than one type of therapy increases the individual’s ability to feel better. Common services used in the treatment of depression include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Psychiatry
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Holistic therapy
- Genetic testing
Along with therapy, prescription medications can be real game-changers when it comes to improving a person’s mood. The prescribing clinician will discuss the symptoms the person experiences and recommend a medication. From there, how it impacts the individual will be monitored and any necessary changes can be made.
Find Help For Depression in Atlanta Today
Can you be depressed and not know it? Yes, and it happens more often than you might think. New View Wellness in Atlanta provides a thorough assessment to make sure you receive an accurate diagnosis. At our comfortable, modern facility, we offer a menu of therapies that help target what causes your depression. From there, our skilled staff helps you resolve past and present issues and improve your symptoms. No one has to live with depression. Intensive help that improves your mood is a phone call away.
If you want to get more information about our program, contact us today. Our friendly admissions staff can get you enrolled and started living a positive life.