North Hills Psychological Associates, Inc.

North Hills Psychological Associates, Therapy, Counseling, Psychological Services, Collaborative Divorce, Family Mediation

  • HOME
  • Services
  • Staff
  • Offices
    • Wexford Office
      • Loretta “Lori” A. Gephart, M.A.
      • Marc J. Ranalli, M.S.
      • Andrew Nocita, Ph.D.
      • Kristi L. Musick, Ph.D.
      • Lisa A. Aaron, Psy.D.
      • Shelley Thacher, LCSW
      • Neha Pandit, Ph.D., LPC
      • Michael Wm. Thayer, Ed.D.
      • Amanda Cooper, LCSW
      • Ashley O’Hara, MSW, LCSW
      • Joseph Stevenson, M.S., LPC
      • Chris Naccarelli, LCSW
    • Robinson Township Office
      • Loretta “Lori” A. Gephart, M.A.
      • Andrew Nocita, Ph.D.
      • Stephanie Kim Phillips, Psy.D.
      • Shelley Thacher, LCSW
      • Julie Zubryd, M.A., L.P.C.
      • Michael Wm. Thayer, Ed.D.
      • Kimberly J. Majcher, LCSW
      • Chris Naccarelli, LCSW
      • Bruce A. Sorkin PhD
    • Squirrel Hill Office
      • Mary Koch Ruiz, LPC
      • Debra S. Gerse, LCSW
      • Rae Ann Michalko
      • Dan Murphy, Psy.D.
  • Insurance
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
  • Speaker
  • Careers
  • Collaborative Divorce
  • Collaborative Marriage Planning
  • Mediation
  • Co-Parenting
  • New Client Forms
  • Pay Here

Depression

How do I know if I am depressed?

Every year more than 17 million Americans suffer from clinical depression. It strikes men, women and children of all races and socio-economic groups, causing them to lose motivation, energy and the pleasure of everyday life. Clinical depression often goes untreated because people don’t recognize its many symptoms. Many people suffer from mood swings to one degree or another. If you or a loved one has mood swings you may find the information at PsychEducation.org helpful. The good news is that almost everyone who gets treated can soon feel better.

Checklist of ten symptoms of clinical depression:
A persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
Sleeping too little or sleeping too much
Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Restlessness or irritability
Persistent physical symptoms that don’t respond to treatment (such as headaches, chronic pain, or constipation and other digestive disorders)
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
Thoughts of death or suicide

If you experience five or more of these symptoms for longer than two weeks or if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine, please seek help from us, your doctor or another qualified mental health professional.

Depression is marked by a persistent sad mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities.  Other symptoms which may occur with depression are changes in appetite or weight, changes in sleep patterns, noticeable restlessness or decreased activity, loss of energy or feeling tired, difficulty in concentrating or making decisions, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.

Research has shown that the most effective treatment for depression is a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication.  In addition, for mild to moderate depressions, aerobic exercise is the best natural antidepressant; provided it is done vigorously enough and often enough.  Such exercise increases production of endorphins, the brains own opiate-like molecules that are associated with some of our best natural highs.  To produce this effect you need to do 30 minutes of sustained aerobic activity at least five days a week, with clearance from your doctor.  Your effort must be great enough to get your heart rate up, accelerate your breathing, and make you sweat.  It can take several weeks before the antidepressant effect is experienced.  But you should feel better if you continue long enough.  If you are prone to depression, exercise of this sort is also the best preventative.

If you regularly experience depression during the winter you may be reacting to the reduction in the amount of daylight.  This condition is known as SAD, seasonal affective disorder.  You may be able to eliminate this effect by exposing yourself to bright light that is balanced to mimic natural daylight.  If you suffer from this condition you can try light supplementation by renting a light unit from NHPA to see if it is helpful before you purchase one.

Depression, Out of the Closet & Into our Lives; What to Do?

Are you Struggling with the Winter Blues?

Appointments are available in our offices near Pittsburgh in Wexford, Robinson Township, and Squirrel Hill.

Helpful Videos

Considering Divorce? View a video about your options.

Psychology in the News

  • The Secret to a Happy, Healthy Life
  • What You Do to Cope With Health Anxiety Makes It Worse
  • Do Sex and Orgasm Impact Athletic Performance?
  • Brainspotting: A Possible Treatment for Trauma?
  • How to Get the Most Out of a Doctor Visit
  • Demystifying Dogs' Minds: A Fun-Filled Illustrated Guide
  • Will AI Robots Coach Mental Well-Being in the Workplace?
  • Why I'm Skeptical About the Link Between Social Media and Mental Health
  • New Research on Why Incels Hate Women
  • How Burnout Is Changing Our Lives

Follow NHPA on Twitter

Tweets by @NHPAwellness

Disclaimer:

Information contained on this site is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute therapy or counseling in any way. We recommend if you seek therapy or have questions and concerns that you make an appointment with one of our therapists on staff.

Lets Get Social

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · Outreach Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in