Depression
Everyone goes through ups and downs in their life, and from time to time we feel sad about the way some things worked out or the place we are in. Depression is more than just a sadness or feeling “blue” it can be a life altering interference that robs you of your joy and energy, leaving you with a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness.
How do I know if I’m depressed?
Common signs of Depression
Feeling helpless, hopeless and stuck
Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
Sleep patterns are off – Sleeping to much or always waking up and feeling unrested.
Angry or irritated all the time
Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
Self-loathing. Low self esteem, guilt, a feeling of being worthless
Reckless behavior. You engage in activities that put you (or others) at risk
Concentration problems. You cant focus on things anymore and you have trouble staying present.
Thoughts of suicide or death
Dramatic changes in eating habits, appearance and weight
Is Depression Harmful?
It can be. Many people that suffer from depression often struggle with energy and find it hard to maintain their normal levels of work production or family participation which can disrupt those relationships. They may also increase their level of narcotics or alcohol and start acting in reckless and dangerous ways. All of these behaviors can have an impact on their friends, families and coworkers. The biggest factor however is that depression can be a major risk for suicide and thoughts of death. If someone is depressed and talking about suicide, it should always be taken seriously and seen as a cry for help.
Does it affect everyone the same?
Though many of the websites say that women get depression more than men, I believe that it can strike any age and at anytime. It can show up in many different ways (seasonal affective disorder and postpartum, bipolar…) and it is seen in every country in the world. Not everyone shows the symptoms of depression the same way however, and this can make it difficult to see in some people.
What causes Depression?
This is the tricky part. I don’t believe that there is a “one way” that we get depressed. I think factors like childhood traumas and upbringings, divorce, finances, death of friends or family, loneliness, addictions, loses, disappointments… (just to name some) all can lead to a person getting depressed.
Is there treatment for Depression?
There are many ways that people get help for their depression. One of the most common ways is to take antidepressants that help with serotonin levels in our brains. Though this option is often controversial, there are millions of people taking these pills daily to try and find relief from their symptoms.
In my practice i have found that the combination of Neurofeedback along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been very effective in helping people get their lives back on track. Though every person gets their depression a particular way, we also have to help every person from where they are at. Something that might be very helpful for one person might not be effective at all for someone else. It is important that each person gets counselling based on their own personal bio/psycho/social needs.
Come in today and see if we can lift the depression from your life~