Depression, what no one wants to talk about.

Dana VanderKooi • January 26, 2023

What you should know about Depression

Depression is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, which may only be mitigated through a combination of prescription drugs and sessions with a professional psychiatrist.


According to Mental Health America,


  • In 2019-2020, 20.78% of adults were experiencing a mental illness. That is equivalent to over 50 million Americans.
  • The vast majority of individuals with a substance use disorder in the U.S. are not receiving treatment. 15.35% of adults had a substance use disorder in the past year. Of them, 93.5% did not receive any form of treatment.
  • Millions of adults in the U.S. experience serious thoughts of suicide, with the highest rate among multiracial individuals. The percentage of adults reporting serious thoughts of suicide is 4.84%, totaling over 12.1 million individuals. 11% of adults who identified with two or more races reported serious thoughts of suicide in 2020 – 6% higher than the average among all adults.


Depression doesn’t always express itself the way you might assume. Some classic symptoms include feelings of sadness or signs of fatigue. However, 1 in 5 adults in St. Louis County, MO who have been diagnosed with depression, wrote their symptoms off and put off getting care, assuming they were something else entirely.

These symptoms presented themselves in a wide range from anger management issues, increased use of electronics, such as a phone and social media, changes in eating habits that lead to extreme weight fluctuations, along with migraines, change in libido and stomach problems similar to IBS with constipation.


The reality is, while many adults struggle with depression, they may delay immediate care, allowing symptoms to get worse prior to seeking treatment. While some of this is due to fear of financial strain or the stigma of being diagnosed with a mental health disorder, delaying treatment can lead to more severe symptoms.


  Depression is more than just feeling sad, overwhelmed with your situation, resorting to self harm or suicidal thoughts.  It can be overthinking that leads to changes in daily habits, from activities you once were passionate about to eating habits.


Within the U.S. there is an estimated 350 individuals struggling with mental health disorders for every 1 psychiatrist. You are not alone.


If you or someone you know is struggling with possible symptoms of depression, don't wait.

There is hope. Discover how a psychiatrist can help put you on the path to healing today

by calling 636-778-9427 & 636-778-9415.


Dr. Jeffrey Vanderkooi has over 2 decades of psychiatric care expertise  is now accepting new patients.

Dana Vanderkooi, NP is accepting new patients both in person in the Chesterfield, MO area, or virtually.

Depression | Treatment Options | Chesterfield, MO

Who is at risk for Depression & When should I seek help?

By Dana VanderKooi • February 3, 2023
Just as the reasons for calling your psychiatrist vary, so can the causes. You might have shown signs of depression in early childhood. Now, as a young or middle-aged adult, you’ve come to realize that your low moods and anxiety have increased dramatically. For others, depression symptoms may not occur until early adulthood. Whenever the symptoms first occur, treatment is possible with the right management. This article discusses the top risk factors as well as the main forms of depression and what you can do to treat depression.

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Depression and the Holidays

By Valerie Brosseau • December 9, 2022
Society tells us that the holidays are the season of light, joy, gifts, family togetherness and happiness. For those individuals already struggling with mental illness and depression, it can be a time for relapse from alcohol and drug dependency; the heightened financial stresses from gift giving, emotional frustration from family gatherings that lead to anxiety, and the overwhelming sense of gloom that comes from colder and darker weather, can trigger or make worse, the symptoms of major depressive disorder in adults. This article discusses some of the warning signs of depression, and what you can do to treat the symptoms.
Alcohol abuse and drug addiction relapse during the holidays

S.A.D. Holidays and the link to Alcohol and Substance Abuse

By Valerie Brosseau • December 9, 2022
Ah, the holidays! For many Missouri and Illinois families, this is the most wonderful time of the year. It is filled with joy, families gathering around a Christmas tree, turkey and stuffing dinners, and of course gift giving. However, for others, the holidays can signify a time of financial stress, family conflicts, grief, loneliness and an overwhelming feeling of S.A.D. or seasonal affective disorder. This can lead to a relapse in addiction, or create a dependency on drugs or alcohol. Both can lead to a dangerous combination that can result in devastating consequences.