Depression
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AccessMedicine
Direct Primary Care & Family Medicine located in Williamston, NC
When you feel sad long after a disappointing event, or if your mood always seems blue and lackluster, you may be suffering from depression. Depression is a mood disorder that has many causes, which Dr. Steven Manning addresses through counseling and, if necessary, medication at AccessMedicine. If you live in the Williamston area, you don’t have to go through your life feeling depressed or hopeless. Get help by contacting Dr. Manning using the online consultation form or by calling his friendly and helpful staff at AccessMedicine.
Depression Q & A
What is depression?
Depression is more than feeling sad after you’ve experienced a disappointment or a loss. Depression is a lingering feeling of sadness or hopelessness that may persist no matter what events occur in your life. Depression is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that responds well to a variety of therapies.
If you or someone in your family feels depressed, please contact Dr. Manning right away. The AccessMedicine staff aims to schedule your appointment as quickly as possible.
What causes depression?
Depression can have a variety of causes, many of which may interlink. Dr. Manning takes the time to get to know you, hear about any stresses in your life and takes a complete medical history to determine the source or sources of your depression.
Some risk factors for depression include:
- Childhood trauma
- Childhood sexual abuse
- Physical or sexual abuse as an adult
- Family history of depression
- Living under chronic stress
- Living with a chronic illness
- Being female
- Getting older
Research suggests that stress and trauma change the way your cells function and can influence the way your brain works, too. Evidenced-based therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, help train your brain to think about the world in a new way so that you feel more hopeful and more in control of your life.
How can I tell if someone I love has depression?
Just as depression has a variety of causes, depression manifests in different types of behaviors, too. If someone you know is depressed, they may be disinterested in life, quit school or a job, or have trouble with relationships.
Women tend to display depression with behaviors that suggest hopelessness or helplessness. Depressed men are more likely to act out their depression with angry outbursts. Men are also statistically more likely to develop substance-abuse problems as a way of coping with their upsetting feelings than women are.
How do doctors treat depression?
At AccessMedicine, Dr. Manning takes the time to listen to your concerns, discern the stresses in your life, and conducts a physical examination to determine if you have an underlying condition that’s at the root of your depression.
If you’re already on medication, he may adjust your prescriptions or recommend new medication. He also emphasizes the importance that diet and exercise play in feeling well.
Contact Dr. Manning today by using the online form or calling AccessMedicine.
