Depression

Depression also known as Major Depression or Clinical Depression is a mood disorder. This disorder causes feelings of sadness and loss of interest. It can affect your: thinking, behavior, emotions, and day to day living. Depression is something you don’t just “snap” out of, and goes beyond feeling a case of the blues. Some people may only have one episode in their life time, and others may have many episodes throughout their lifetime. Majority of those with depression feel better with counseling, medication, or the combination of both.

Depression affects 19 million Americans a year (10%) of the population. The most common age that Depression occurs is between 25-44 years old, and is least common for those over 65 year of age. In children Depression affects boys and girls equally, but is rare before pubescent years. Woman are twice as likely to be affected than men by Depression.

Signs of depression are, but not limited to:

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Loss of interest
Thoughts of suicide, death, or suicide attempts/self-harm
Trouble sleeping
Irritability
Decreased energy/fatigue
Weight changes/ appetite
Physical symptoms (aches and pains, cramps, headaches, digestive issues)
Trouble thinking or concentrating
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Fixation on past failures or blaming yourself for things that aren’t your fault/out of your control
Anger
Avoidance of social interactions
In some cases, use of drugs or alcohol

Services for Depression in Berks County:

SAM (Service Access Management

Address: 19 N 6th St # 300, Reading, PA 19601
Phone:610- 236-0530
Website: http://www.sam-inc.org/Berks-County.html

Ruok? 610-236-0530 (texting service instead of calling)

http://www.ruokberks.com/

Spruce Pavilion at Reading Hospital 484-628-9027

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness

Address: 640 Centre Ave, Reading, PA 19605
Phone: 610-685-300
Website: http://www.namiberkspa.org/

Greater Reading Mental Health Alliance (An affiliate of Mental Health America)

Address: 1234 Penn Ave, Reading, PA 19610
Phone: 610- 775-3000
Website: http://www.grmha.org/

Berks County Websites:

Services for Lehigh Valley:

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness

Location- First Presbyterian Church
Cedar Crest Blvd. and Tilghman, Allentown, PA
Phone: 610-395-3781, option 4
Website: http://www.namipalehighvalley.org/

DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY

Address: 3231 Tilghman Street Allentown, PA 1810
Phone: 610- 437-2741
Website: http://www.dbsa-lv.org/

StLukes Hospital

Headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Phone: 610-954-2400
Website: http://wellnow.slhn.org/Emotional-Health/Depression

Lehigh Valley Websites:

National Websites:

References:

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

Mayo Clinic Staff Print. (2016, March 11). Overview. Retrieved April 2017, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/home/ovc-20196177