Depression

Most people occasionally get “the blues” lasting a day or two. However, if these feelings last for two weeks or more, the individual may be suffering from Major Depressive Disorder.  Major Depressive Disorder is a serious illness that occurs in approximately 6.7 percent of U.S. adults.  Depression can be biological in origin or the result of some kind of traumatic incident or life situation, such as a lost job or divorce. Medications can be helpful, but come with side effects that many people cannot tolerate. Medications will NOT cure the underlying issue or mistaken belief system causing the depression.

There are other types of depression besides Major Depressive Disorder, including the depression accompanying situational stress and chronic or recurring depression that occurs because of certain thinking patterns.  Again, if the depression lasts for more than a few days and if it is recurring, you should seek help.  When depressed, it seems that the negative view of life and oneself is justified.  A therapist can be very helpful in restoring ones mood and hope, and getting to the source of the depression.

Adolescents often mask feelings of depression by withdrawing from family and friends, becoming angry and argumentative, disobeying parental authority, performing poorly in school, dropping out of sports or other favorite activities, and experimentation with alcohol or other drugs.  Because adolescence is a time of turmoil and hormonal changes, the signs of depression can be easily missed, because they are often different from those of adults.

Without talk therapy to both uncover the root cause of the depression and learn ways to manage it, depression can persist despite medication. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, can help you uncover the beliefs you carry about life without even knowing it. These beliefs often contribute to depression below your level of awareness. Once uncovered, we can help you face and refute the irrational thoughts and replace them with healthy, logical thoughts.

At Holistic Health & Counseling Center, we will also explore other, factors, which may be contributing, to your depression.  We may also recommend other things besides counseling, which may speed your recovery.

If you or someone you love is experiencing any of the following symptoms on a frequent or daily basis, please contact us for a full professional evaluation:

1. Sadness
2. Pessimism
3. Feeling like a failure
4. Loss of pleasure
5. Guilty feelings
6. Punishment feelings
7. Self-dislike
8. Self-criticalness
9. Suicidal thoughts or a sense of, it would be better if I weren’t here*
10. Crying, or unable to cry anymore
11. Feeling agitated
12. No interest
13. Hard to decide things
14. Feeling worthless
15. No energy
16. Sleep issues
17. Irritability
18. Appetite changes, up or down
19. Can’t concentrate
20. Fatigue
21. No sexual interest

Taking the step to call us for an appointment may be hard, but can be the best decision you ever make.