Welcome to Sarah Wempe Psychiatric Services
Depression
Major depression is one of the most common mental health illnesses affecting Americans, approximately 8.3% of all adults and 20.1% of adolescents will experience an episode of major depression each year. It is estimated that only 61% of the adults and 40.6% of the adolescents will have received treatment for their depression in the past year.
A lack of treatment can lead to impairments ranging from decreased physical, social, academic, and work functioning to a complete incapacity to attend to basic self needs. Individuals with major depression may experience a variety of symptoms, with at least one being a depressed mood or loss of pleasure most of the day, nearly every day, for a two consecutive week period.
A depressed mood can manifest in various ways, ranging from feeling "down in the dumps", sad, hopeless, irritable, etc. Other symptoms include changes in weight, energy, sleep, concentration, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts. Treatment for major depression is highly effective, 70%-90% of individuals respond well to treatment. Treatments include medication, therapy, ECT, self-help, and coping skills.