Major depressive disorder (MDD), or depression, is one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide. According to a national survey, the 12-month and lifetime prevalences of depression were 10.4% and 20.6%, respectively. Additionally, MDD is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Depression is a serious mental illness that requires treatment. Depression is also associated with other mental health conditions, specifically generalized anxiety disorder.
Know that if you are experiencing symptoms of depression, help is available. An individualized treatment plan with incorporation of psychotherapy and medication management has been shown to be most effective.

Living with anxiety is more than feeling nervous or overthinking situations. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a complex mental health condition that can affect a person’s self-worth, confidence, and happiness.
Many people struggling with anxiety feel a sense of embarrassment and shame, and attempt to hide their anxiety out of fear of being judged. It’s important to know that GAD is a common and treatable illness, and that help is available. With the combination of psychotherapy and medication management quality of life can be improved.

Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that develops after a person has experienced a traumatic or frightening event. While most people feel afraid during and after a traumatic experience, those who have PTSD continue to feel fear long after the event is over and they are no longer in danger. Some people may experience spontaneous flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, recurrent dreams causing marked emotional distress.
Not everyone who experiences PTSD has been in danger. Some people develop symptoms of PTSD after the sudden death of a loved one, or other unexpected trauma. Help is available to navigate through these challenge times.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that they feel the urge to repeat over and over. Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or impulses that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and unwanted, and that in most individuals cause marked anxiety or distress. The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action (i.e., by performing a compulsion).
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety or distress, however, not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent, or are clearly excessive.
Treatment with psychotherapy and medications, such as antidepressants, have been proven to effective in the management of obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness in which patients experience periods of mania followed by episodes of depression. Formally known as manic depression. The disorder is one of the least understood and most stigmatized mental illnesses today.
During manic episodes, patients feel “on top of the world” and have plenty of energy. They may not require much sleep and have an increased amount of goal-directed behaviors. While this may seem great initially, the mania can cause patients to engage in risky behaviors such as shopping sprees, feeling invincible, substance use or even self-harm.
The depressive episodes present with low energy levels and feelings of hopelessness. Patients may feel unable to get out of bed, diminished interest in activities once enjoyed, emotional distress, sadness, anxiety, irritability, and isolation periods. In some cases, depressive episodes cause suicidal thoughts. The symptoms can last days or weeks, depending on the type of bipolar.
Symptoms can last days to weeks and require a thorough evaluation and medication management with mood stabilizers to best results.