Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Definition: a pervasive and persistent low mood, accompanied by low self-esteem, and a loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities for more than two weeks. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a disabling condition that adversely affects a person’s...

Bipolar Disorder I*

Definition: Bipolar Disorder I is a form of major depression. It is characterized by one or more manic episodes usually followed by a major depressive episode. This cycling between mania and depression is where the term “manic-depression” comes from. These manic...

Adjustment Disorder

Definition: An array of stress-induced syndromes that occur within 3 months after exposure to a distressing (traumatic or non-traumatic) event, such as marital or financial conflict in adults, family conflict, school problems, death of a family member, sexuality...

Depression

By Lisa Aranas, MA, JD, LCPC Am I just sad, down, feeling blue or am I depressed? And what does it mean when I hear that someone is suffering from depression, anyway? If we haven’t already, at some time in our lives we will experience some event that will cause us to...

Seasonal Depression

By Greta Nielsen, LCPC “As Winter approaches I get that feeling that I just want to go to bed and stay there until March. Do I have Seasonal Depression?” This time of year in this part of the country most of us would like to fast forward to the warm, sunny days of...