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We Can Help. 914-345-5900 • help@mhawestchester.org |
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Clinical Depression - AdultsWhat is Clinical Depression?Depression is a word sometimes used to describe the usual sad and upset feelings people have when things go wrong in their every day lives. It is also the word used to describe a serious mental illness involving deep sadness and despair, feelings of hopelessness, and accompanying physical symptoms. This kind of depression is called Clinical Depression. We will use the term Clinical Depression when discussing it on this site. When you read about Clinical Depression in other places, it may simply be called Depression. Clinical Depression affects about 10 percent of adults each year. Its symptoms include:
In Clinical Depression, some or all of these symptoms happen almost every day over a period of two weeks or more. Clinical Depression is a serious illness that interferes with a person’s ability to live a normal life. Some people with Clinical Depression are at risk for suicide. What causes Clinical Depression?Clinical Depression tends to run in families. It can be triggered by a life crisis, such as the death of someone close, a major life change, such as childbirth, an illness or a serious accident. Clinical Depression may also occur without any obvious cause. Clinical Depression is believed to be associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain. A chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter, called serotonin is involved. Over 80 percent of people with Clinical Depression can be helped by treatment and return to their normal life activities. How can Clinical Depression be Treated?Treatments include talking therapies (or counseling) and medications. A combination of these two kinds of therapies is usually the most effective. The biggest problem with Clinical Depression is that people do not receive the treatment they need. The sections below provide links to web sites that give additional information about Clinical Depression as well as a link to Westchester County Mental Health Services, a database of local service providers including those who treat Clinical Depression. Additional Information About Clinical DepressionClinical Depression Screening
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Help Making Decisions About Anti-Depressant Medication
Westchester County Mental Health ServicesFor information about mental health services offered in Westchester and Putnam counties in the state of New York, consult our database of these services. General instructions for using the database are displayed before you click on the [Search Westchester Services] button. To focus on services for adults who may have Clinical Depression, use the Keyword feature. Click on the [Keyword Search] button in the lower right corner of the database. When the next screen comes up:
From the list of services displayed, click on the one closest to your area of interest. Return to the top of the page.
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