What is depression?

Depression is one of the most common problems encountered in clinical practice. The term depression refers to a broad range of mood disorders and is a complex, multifaceted illnessthat affects your body, mind, and spirit. Depression can be mild, severe, episodic, or persistent. Symptoms usually include depressed mood or loss of interest, appetite and sleep disturbance, psychomotor agitation or retardation, decreased energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation in the form of plans or attempts. These symptoms persist most of the day and nearly everyday throughout the course of the illness and cause significant distress and dysfunction in one’s occupational, social, and interpersonal life.

Are there specific treatments available for depression?

Yes. There are a number of specific psychotherapy treatment approaches that exist including cognitive-behavioral (CBT), interpersonal (IPT), and psychodynamic approaches that have all received empirical support.

Where do I go for treatment?

Free and comprehensive evaluations for depression are available at the Mid and Late-Life Depression Research Clinic at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute.