Depression

More than 18% of adults receive a depression diagnosis during their lifetime. Don’t let constant or extreme sadness take over your life. At Forcey Behavioral Health Services in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Sherifat Forcey, PMHNP-BC, diagnoses and treats depression to restore your mind and soul. Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.

What is depression?

While everyone feels sad from time to time, depression is a mental health condition characterized by ongoing or severe sadness. It affects how you behave, think, and feel and may lead to physical and emotional health concerns. Depression can dramatically impact your quality of life when left untreated, and may contribute to harmful (even life-threatening) symptoms.

Which symptoms can depression cause?

Depression can lead to the following symptoms:

• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Irritability or angry outbursts
• Ongoing or extreme sadness
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue
• Reduced appetite
• Thoughts of suicide
• Social isolation
• Feeling helpless, hopeless, or worthless
• Weight and appetite changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Physical aches and pains

Depression can also cause problems in relationships, at work, or in school when not addressed. Fortunately, Forcey Behavioral Health Services provides highly effective treatments that ease depressive symptoms. 

What increases the risk of depression?

Depression may stem from genetics, your environment, or both of these factors. Specific risks for developing extremely sad feelings include:

• Family history of depression
• Loss of a loved one
• Social isolation 
• Brain chemistry changes
• Hormone imbalances
• Low self-esteem
• Traumatic or stressful life events
• Substance misuse
• Past mental health conditions
• Chronic illness or disease
• Extreme stress
• Financial challenges
• Job loss
• Divorce or breakup
• Taking certain medications

While adopting healthy habits may reduce the risk of depression, it can’t necessarily be avoided without professional treatment if you’re prone to it. 

How is depression diagnosed?

Sherifat diagnoses depression by completing a psychiatric evaluation in person or virtually. She reviews your medications, medical history, and lifestyle habits. She also discusses your emotions, moods, thoughts, and behaviors and personalizes a mental health treatment plan that’s best suited to your unique situation.

How is depression treated?

Treating depression often consists of making lifestyle changes, taking medication, undergoing psychotherapy, or combining multiple approaches. Forcey Behavioral Health Services can also treat anxiety, which often accompanies depression. 

Sherifat offers cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy to combat depression symptoms. She prescribes depression medication as needed to minimize bothersome symptoms, allowing you to experience utmost happiness and gain a new outlook on life.

It’s also highly beneficial to minimize stress, eat nutritious foods, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, avoid drug and alcohol misuse, and have a strong social support network in place. Sherifat can refer you to a support group if necessary.

Schedule an in-person or telehealth depression evaluation at Forcey Behavioral Health Services by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.