Clinical depression is a serious mental health disorder that can cause a wide range of negative emotions, including sadness, despair, and hopelessness. It tends to make the person feel disinterested, tired, and withdrawn from their usual activities and relationships.
Clinical depression isn’t necessarily triggered by a traumatic event in the person’s life – instead, it tends to be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. So, you may be wondering: What is the main cause of clinical depression? Is it caused by genetics, environmental exposure/toxins, traumatic life experiences, or something else entirely?
Let’s talk about some of the main causes of clinical depression, and where you can go in Alpharetta and Atlanta, Georgia, to receive high-quality counseling services and treatment for depression.
What Is Clinical Depression and What Are the Main Symptoms?
Clinical depression is a mood disorder that can make you feel empty, irritable, fatigued, and guilty for no reason. It can cause you to have difficulty with thinking and concentrating, negative thoughts, and even back pain and headaches.
The main symptoms of clinical depression include the following:
- Prolonged feelings of sadness or emptiness
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Fatigue
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Why Do Some People Experience Depression While Others Don’t?
Unfortunately, there is no single, definitive answer to this question. That is why depression is such a complex health condition, and also why there is no straightforward cure.
Indeed, the underlying causes of clinical depression vary from person to person. Some of the most common causes of clinical depression include the following:
- Genetics or hereditary predisposition
- Traumatic life experiences – such as the death of a loved one, being fired or laid off from a job, being seriously injured, being diagnosed with a serious health condition, or divorce
- Chemical imbalances in the brain
- Hormonal changes, such as after pregnancy
- Substance abuse
- Chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, a neurological disorder, or cancer
How Can Counseling Help Those Who Suffer from Clinical Depression?
Receiving professional counseling by a licensed therapist is a highly effective treatment for clinical depression that can help people manage their symptoms and get their lives back on track. Counseling involves meeting with a therapist regularly in order to discuss your thoughts and feelings, explore the root causes of your depression, and discuss improvements or setbacks you may be experiencing with your depression.
By addressing the underlying causes of your depression, professional counseling can help you keep your symptoms under control more effectively. You will slowly begin to notice improvements in your quality of life and your outlook.
Counseling for Clinical Depression in Alpharetta and Atlanta, GA
If you are looking for high-quality professional counseling services for depression in Atlanta, Georgia, then look no further than Atlanta Specialized Care. Our team of licensed professional counselors have more than 20 years of experience treating depression – no matter what the cause – as well as other types of mental health issues, such as anxiety and PTSD.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our caring and skilled professional counselors, contact us today by calling us at (770) 815-6853 or by filling out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. With Atlanta Specialized Care, you can start feeling better today!