Depression
Depression can be a challenging condition to deal with on one’s own. It affects about 280 million people worldwide according to the WHO. This is not something a person can simply snap out of by themselves. It is a condition that will impact the way we feel about ourselves, the way we think as well as our sleep and eating patterns amongst other things.
If you or your loved one feels weighed down or somehow ‘immobilized’ by depression, do reach out and find out how I can help support you.
WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
The term depression is often misused in daily language, however, there is a difference between sadness and depression. Sadness is one of the emotions we experience as humans. A normal response to loss, disappointment, problems, and other challenging situations. Whereas depression is an actual health condition, that affects a person’s overall functioning. People with depression cannot ‘snap out of it’ just because you tell them so. These are also referred to clinically as ‘Mood disorders’. There are also different types of mood disorders (see further below for more about these)
Without the appropriate approach, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even years.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION?
People with depression will experience various types of symptoms. The frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms will vary depending on each person. Symptoms may include the following:
⦁ A persistently sad, anxious, or empty mood
⦁ Feelings of helplessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
⦁ Loss of emotional expression (lethargic, flat)
⦁ Social withdrawal
⦁ Loss of energy
⦁ Difficulties concentrating, making decisions or trouble remembering things
⦁ Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
⦁ Loss of appetite with weight loss or overeating with weight gain
⦁ Sleep disturbance with insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
⦁ Irritability, restlessness
⦁ Physical discomforts such as headaches, chronic pain, indigestion
⦁ Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
⦁ Alcohol or drug use
HOW TO DIAGNOSE DEPRESSION?
The first step is to have a family doctor or GP checkup. The medical doctor will be able to rule out whether your symptoms are those of a mood disorder or those related to another medical condition such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, female hormonal changes, and/ or thyroid conditions. There are also some medications that can have ‘depression’ as a side effect. If these possibilities are ruled out, you will then be referred to a mental health specialist/psychologist for further evaluation.
A diagnosis of depression is based on:
⦁ Your symptoms
⦁ Signs observed by your doctor
⦁ Your medical history
⦁ Family history
Below are a few questions you may be asked:
⦁ What are your symptoms?
⦁ Have you had these symptoms before?
⦁ How long have you had these symptoms?
⦁ How severe are your symptoms?
⦁ Have you been treated for depression before?
⦁ If yes, what treatments?
⦁ Does anyone in your family have depression?
⦁ If yes, were they treated and how?
⦁ Do you drink alcohol?
⦁ Do you use drugs?
⦁ Do you have thoughts of ending your life?
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DEPRESSION?
Common types of depression include:
⦁ Major Depressive Disorder: This type of depression is characterized by a severe lack of interest in anything that was once enjoyable or a chronic feeling of sadness.
⦁ Bipolar Disorder: Also known as ‘Manic depression’, is a spectrum of mood disorders occurring on a continuum. These will be characterized by periods of depression with or without periods of elevated moods known as mania or hypomania, or in some cases, symptoms of psychosis may be present, depending on severity. There are 3 subtypes known Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, and Cyclothymia.
⦁ Dysthymia: This type of depression is characterized by chronic yet mild symptoms of depression. It is less severe than Major Depressive Disorder, however, some people who have dysthymia may have severe depression also known as ‘Double Depression’, which is usually more challenging to recover from than people who have major depressive disorder without dysthymia.
⦁ Seasonal Affective Disorder: This type of depression occurs seasonally and is caused by a lack of sunlight, usually in the late fall and winter. Relief from this type of depression will usually happen with the start of spring.
Find out how I can help you
Meet me at my office location in person if we are in the same country or online.
I offer a free 15-minute initial call so that I can get a brief sense of:
What you are hoping for
To answer questions
To make initial recommendations
And to decide if you would like us to work together
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT Therapy is the most evidence-based psychotherapy intervention that has shown the best results in both assisting people either recover from their depression or in other cases improve quality of life through learning how to live life through more effective ways of managing their condition.
CBT therapy helps people to recognize unhelpful thoughts and learn ways of reframing them. The person learns to identify an automatic thought as a type of cognitive distortion, and then find an alternative as well as more rational thoughts. CBT therapy has shown effective results in treating depression/mood disorders.
Mindfulness Therapy
The combination of Mindfulness Therapy and CBT has yielded the best results so far when provided in a safe and healing environment away from your daily routines. The advantages of an intensive approach allow for a faster understanding, assimilation and application that are necessary for recovery.
Mindfulness is a great complementary practice when treating mood disorders. Mindfulness can help us detach from overwhelming and negative thoughts, feel calmer and clearer, and choose more positive responses and behaviours. It helps people to be more in the present moment and helps them step out of their conditioning, so they can see the situation clearer. Mindfulness-based stress therapy has very good results in decreasing stress levels and improving one’s quality of life.
Physical Activity
Physical activity has an instant positive effect when we struggle with difficult and painful emotions or/and have a mood disorder. This does help the overall process to recover faster. During the retreat program, there is enough room for physical activity, like surfing, beach walk, yoga, and tai chi. The program on the retreat will be personalized on all the person’s personal wants and needs.
OTHER TREATMENTS INCLUDE:
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Acceptance & Commitment therapy
Emotional Freedom Tapping
Clinical hypnotherapy
Heart coherence biofeedback