Depression Treatment Clinic in Riverdale, UT
Depression is a crippling mood disease characterized by persistent sadness, despair, and a loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities. It can have a significant influence on daily functioning, but there are several treatments available to assist control and lessen its effects. Our team at Gold Counseling offers depression treatment. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 5129 S 1500 W, Riverdale, UT 84405.


Table of Contents:
What is depression?
What causes depression?
How is depression diagnosed?
Is depression the same as sadness?
Depression refers to a group of mental health disorders that go beyond just feeling sad or having a rough week. These mood disorders can deeply influence every facet of your life, from your emotions and thoughts to your physical health. Conditions like major depressive disorder (MDD), seasonal affective disorder, and postpartum depression are not just temporary blues; they can cause serious and even life-threatening symptoms.
People diagnosed with depression often lose interest in activities they once loved and struggle to find joy in anything. Simple tasks can feel overwhelmingly difficult, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness can take over. Depressive disorders don’t only affect your mind; these conditions can also have a physical impact on your wellness. Depression can make you feel constantly tired, experience insomnia or oversleep, or notice changes in your appetite.
The positive news is that depressive disorders can be managed with the support of a mental health specialist. Talk therapy techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are highly beneficial for reframing negative thoughts and developing healthy coping skills. In addition, mental health professionals can prescribe medication to manage other symptoms like difficulty concentrating, anxiety, agitation, or recurrent thoughts about self-harm or death.
There’s no single cause that’s linked to depression. Instead, depressive disorders arise due to a combination of factors. For instance, genetic predisposition plays a role; if depression affects other members of your family, you are more likely to be diagnosed with it at some point during your life. In addition, biological factors, such as imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, are also often involved in the development of depression.
Traumatic experiences, chronic stress, the loss of a loved one, and major life changes can all precipitate depressive episodes. Other factors that are associated with depression include low self-esteem, negative thought patterns, and a history of mental health issues.
Furthermore, medical conditions like chronic illness, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications can lead to depression. For example, postpartum depression is linked to the significant hormonal shifts that occur after childbirth.
Depressive disorders, such as MDD and bipolar disorder, are diagnosed by psychiatrists. Mental health doctors use specific criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, known as the DSM-5, to pinpoint depressive disorders. Your psychiatrist will assess you for common symptoms of depression, such as:
• Overwhelming sadness.
• Loss of interest in usual activities.
• Changes in appetite or weight.
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping.
• Chronic fatigue.
• Anxiety, irritability, or agitation.
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
• Low self-esteem.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Recurrent thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
When diagnosing depression, psychiatrists consider whether at least five of these signs and symptoms are present for most of each day in the last two weeks. To gauge your symptoms and their severity, your psychiatrist may use diagnostic tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
While there’s no blood test for depression, these tests can rule out other conditions that often result in similar symptoms, such as thyroid problems. In addition, blood tests allow your doctor to detect liver or kidney issues to determine which depression medications are safe for you.
No, sadness and depression are not the same, though they share some similarities. Sadness is a natural, temporary emotional response to life’s challenges, losses, or disappointments. It’s a normal part of the human experience and goes away on its own as circumstances change or with time.
Unlike sadness, depression doesn’t just pass with time or a change in circumstances. It lingers for weeks, months, or even years, drastically impacting your ability to enjoy life, connect with others, and stay healthy.
Sadness doesn’t usually impact physical health in the same way depression does. Depression is linked with various other chronic health concerns, such as social isolation, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, heart disease, and substance use disorder.
To determine whether your symptoms are a result of depression rather than temporary stress or sadness, it’s crucial to speak with a mental health professional to understand your treatment options. The dedicated team at Gold Counseling can address your symptoms through a personalized treatment approach. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Riverdale UT, Washington Terrace UT, Clinton UT, Kaysville UT, Clearfield UT, Farmington UT, Draper UT, Riverton UT, Sandy UT, St. George UT, Bloomington UT, Santa Clara, UT, and surrounding areas.


Additional Services You May Need
▸ Relationship Counselling
▸ Couples Counselling
▸ Individual Therapy
▸ EMDR Therapy
▸ Spiritual Healing
▸ Disordered Eating
▸ LGBTQIA+ Therapy
▸ Group Psychotherapy
▸ Life Coaching Therapist
▸ Depression Treatment
▸ Mental Health Clinic
▸ Life Transition Therapy
▸ Telehealth Counseling
▸ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
▸ Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)