Depression

Depression can drag your mind down into desperately dark places if you don’t receive timely treatment. At Exhale Health, a mental health practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, Katrina Kaczmarek, MSN, APRN, PMHNP, offers outstanding care for depression and other mood disorders, like bipolar disorder. Whether you are experiencing mild depression, major depressive disorder (MDD), or other mood disorders, Katrina can help. Call the office to schedule an appointment and get started on recovery. Or request an appointment online today.

How do I know if I have depression?

Depression can be challenging to identify at first. After all, it’s natural to feel unhappy or down occasionally, especially during tough times.

However, if a low mood persists for more than a few weeks and you or a loved one can’t shake it off, it would be good to reach out to a mental health provider or other health care professional. The sooner a person receives help for depression, the quicker and easier it is to recover.

What are some signs of depression?

Common signs and symptoms of depression include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Excessive sleeping
• Appetite changes
• Irritability
• Social withdrawal
• Odd aches and pains
• Loss of interest in sex
• Chronic fatigue
• Odd aches and pains
• Headaches
• Poor school or work performance

With depression, emotions become almost exclusively negative, filling the person with self-loathing, extreme sadness, despair, and unwarranted guilt. The person often loses interest in activities they enjoy, and relationships deteriorate.

Are there different types of depression?

Depression is the primary problem in mood disorders, which include:

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder develops in people who don’t get enough light exposure. SAD primarily affects Americans during the winter months.

Major depressive disorder (MDD)

MDD is the medical term for depression.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

PMDD causes depression and sometimes other problems each month during a person’s menstrual cycle.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder typically develops in adolescence or early adulthood. Patients switch between periods of mania and bouts of depression, where they can feel low and depressed or confident, energized, and often reckless.

Other mental health conditions

People with anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ADD & ADHD, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can also experience depression.

Can I recover from depression?

With the right help, you can recover from depression or at least manage your condition successfully. 

At Exhale Health, Katrina Kaczmarek takes a personalized approach, treating each patient as a unique individual with respect and compassion.

Some types of depression, such as bipolar disorder, may require ongoing medication, including mood stabilizers and antidepressants.

Katrina might prescribe antidepressants or other types of medication if necessary while always considering your well-being.

In addition to medication management, treatment plans for depression may also involve evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral (CBT) techniques, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle changes.

Call Exhale Health to schedule an appointment or request one online for expert help with managing depression.