Everyone gets sad or down at one time or another. But for many people, depressed feelings persist for weeks, months, and sometimes years. Like diabetes or heart disease, depression is a serious medical condition that can grow progressively worse if left untreated. Long-term depression interferes with how well we succeed in the world and how we relate to our colleagues and loved ones. Long-term depression darkens our thoughts, drain our energy, and drags at our work life and special relationships.

 

Depression affects approximately one out of ten adults in the U.S. Fortunately, depression is highly treatable. The approach depends on the type of depression. Healthcare professionals recognize three categories of depressive disorders: Major Depression, Reactive Depression, Dysthymic Disorder.

 

Depression that lasts more than several weeks begins to affect every aspect of life. The most common symptoms of long-term depression include loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of overwhelming sadness or fear, changes in appetite, or weight loss), disturbed sleep patterns, fatigue, changes in level of activity, lowered self-esteem, and thoughts about death or suicide. Depression can affect children, teens, and adults. Depression is a neurotransmitter-related disorder. Like other neurotransmitter disorders, depression can occur when neurotransmitters are too high or too low. Deficiencies involving the neurotransmitters-serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine appear to be involved in the development of depressive disorders.

 

Thankfully, there are non-invasive lab tests that can measure neurotransmitter levels. These lab tests can identify which neurotransmitters might be imbalanced and how severe those deficiencies might be. With lab data, more targeted treatment decisions can be made that focus on the individual. Dr Freedman offers this test plus natural and effective amino acid therapy for success in the short and long term.