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When it comes to mental health in the United States, depression remains one of the biggest challenges facing people of all ages. In fact, estimates that about 18% of adults—or 40 million people—suffer from the condition. Despite this prevalence, only around 36% of patients receive treatment. That’s why Colleen Torrence, MEd, LPC encourages everyone to become more familiar with how to recognize the problems, as well as explore possible treatment methods. To help raise awareness about mental health, this child therapist of Juneau, AK, highlights a few important things to know about depression.

Simple Guide to Depression

What Are the Signs?

Depression symptoms can vary from person to person, so it’s not necessarily easy to pinpoint. Often, the condition will cause irregular changes in mood, such as persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or despair. Crying, mood swings, withdrawal, and self-harm are also common signs. Adults often experience a variety of physical health problems as well, such as weight gain, insomnia, and fatigue.

child therapistThis condition can also manifest in unique ways depending on the person’s age. For example, child therapists often recognize the problem in young patients who lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, have trouble socializing, or exhibit behavioral issues—such as anger. Teenagers may share many of these signs, but also are known to engage in risky behaviors—such as substance abuse and unprotected sex. Adolescents with depression may also have problems in school and experience declining grades.

What Causes Depression?

There is no one clear cause of depression. In many patients, the condition is the result of biological factors that affect brain chemistry, as well as environmental circumstances. Child therapists also find that exposure to trauma—such as violence or bullying—can contribute to depression in youth.

How Is Depression Treated?  

When left untreated, depression can increase the risk of dangerous behaviors—including suicide. As such, it is critical to seek help for yourself or a loved one as soon as you recognize warning signs. Fortunately, there are many ways to address symptoms before serious problems occur.

Counseling, for example, allows individuals to work through their emotions with a professional therapist and gain solutions to help manage symptoms. If symptoms are severe, doctors may also prescribe medications—such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs—that can help regulate brain chemistry.

If you are a parent concerned about depression in your child, Colleen Torrence, MEd, LPC is a trusted child therapist who can help. As an experienced school counselor, Torrence understands not only how to recognize depression in youth, but also address challenges with patients in a comfortable and individualized fashion. This Juneau, AK, counselor also offers a variety of other services to tackle challenging mental health concerns, including abuse and trauma counseling. You can learn more about these approaches online or by calling (907) 789-9212 to schedule a convenient appointment.   

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