Depression

Written By Dr. Sonya Boone, DBH, LCSW, MSW, MHSA

What does depression look like? What is depression?

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical condition that impairs one's emotional well-being, cognitive functioning, and behavioral patterns in many different ways. Because it is treatable, however, it is fortunate. People who are depressed may experience feelings of sadness and/or a decrease in interest in activities they used to enjoy. It can cause a wide range of mental and physical health issues, as well as impair your ability to carry out your daily responsibilities at home and at work.

The following are mild-to-severe symptoms of depression:

There may be a variety of symptoms that point to a depressive state, including sadness, loss of enjoyment in previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite, difficulty sleeping, excessive sleepiness, decreased energy, and an overall feeling of exhaustion. If someone is having a hard time, they might show signs like being more agitated or restless (like pacing, wringing their hands), as well as slower movements and speech that can be seen by other people.

There must be a significant change in one's level of functioning for a diagnosis of depression to be made.

Every year, approximately one in every fifteen adults (6.7 percent) suffers from depression. In addition, 16.6% of people will suffer from depression in their lifetime. Depression can strike at any time, but it is most common in people between the ages of 18 and 24. As a general rule, women are more likely to suffer from depression than men. According to some research, an estimated one-third of women will go through a major depressive episode at some point in their lives. First-degree relatives, such as parents, children, and brothers and sisters, have a high rate of depression that can be passed down (about 40%).

You may be able to get out of a funk.

In terms of mental illness, depression is one of the most treatable. Approximately 80 to 90% of people with depression respond favorably to treatment. The vast majority of patients see some improvement in their condition.

There is a slew of methods available to those seeking relief from depression's debilitating effects. Regular physical activity can help lift the spirits of a large number of people. A healthy diet, regular sleep, and not drinking alcohol, which can make depression worse, can all help.

There is a medical treatment for depression. Most people who have depression will be able to get better with the help of a correct diagnosis and effective treatment.

Watch this short video to learn more about depression:

https://youtu.be/bTD8oK9hHXY

Dr. Sonya Boone, DBH, LCSW, MSW, MHSA

Dr. Sonya K. Boone, DBH, MHSA, MSW, MSL, LCSW, is a Doctor of Behavioral Health and multi-state Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 15 years of experience spanning integrated healthcare, academic instruction, military behavioral health, inpatient and outpatient clinical care, clinical supervision, and telehealth service delivery. Her work centers on integrating behavioral health into medical, organizational, and community systems, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, trauma-informed practice, and sustainable workforce development.

Dr. Boone currently serves as an adjunct professor at the doctoral level, teaching courses in behavioral health integration, primary care behavioral health models, healthcare operations, health equity, and healthcare entrepreneurship. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes applied systems thinking, ethical leadership, and translating clinical expertise into scalable, real-world healthcare solutions. She is deeply engaged in mentoring doctoral students and advanced clinicians in bridging clinical care, administration, policy, and innovation.

Clinically, Dr. Boone has delivered thousands of psychotherapy sessions across outpatient, inpatient, and virtual settings. She utilizes evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and solution-focused approaches. Her clinical expertise includes work with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, trauma and stress-related conditions, ADHD, adjustment disorders, chronic medical conditions, and complex psychosocial presentations within integrated care environments. She has extensive experience conducting biopsychosocial assessments and collaborating closely with interdisciplinary medical teams to support whole-person care.

In addition to direct clinical work, Dr. Boone is an experienced clinical supervisor and consultant. She provides supervision and professional development support to licensed and provisionally licensed clinicians across multiple states, focusing on ethical practice, diagnostic formulation, documentation quality, clinical reasoning, and professional identity development. Her supervisory approach integrates clinical depth with systems-level awareness, supporting clinicians working in high-acuity, integrated, and resource-constrained settings.

Dr. Boone is also a coauthor and lead chapter editor on an upcoming Biodyne Integrated Care textbook developed in collaboration with the Cummings Graduate Institute. In this role, she contributes scholarly and applied content addressing integrated care frameworks, interdisciplinary practice models, and the operationalization of behavioral health within complex healthcare systems. Her editorial leadership reflects her commitment to advancing evidence-based, systems-informed approaches to integrated behavioral health education and practice.

She additionally serves as a U.S. Army Reserve Medical Service Corps Officer and has held leadership roles including Hospital Adjutant, Victim Advocate, and Suicide Prevention Leader. Her military service has strengthened her expertise in military cultural competence, crisis intervention, leadership under pressure, and behavioral health support for service members and their families. She has received multiple military honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medals, in recognition of her leadership and service.

Dr. Boone holds a Doctor of Behavioral Health from Arizona State University, a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Health Services Administration from Strayer University, and a Master of Studies in Law from the University of Southern California. This interdisciplinary academic foundation enables her to approach behavioral health through clinical, administrative, legal, and systems-level lenses. She is also a contributing author to scholarly and applied works focused on integrated care delivery and behavioral health innovation.

Her academic and professional interests include integrated behavioral health delivery, clinician burnout prevention, health equity, trauma-informed systems, military and veteran mental health, and the development of scalable behavioral health interventions within medical, academic, and organizational settings. Dr. Boone maintains active clinical licensure in multiple U.S. states and continues to engage in clinical practice, teaching, supervision, consultation, and scholarly writing.

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