We Offer Specialized Holistic Treatment For Depression, to treat the Mind as well as the Body. # # THIS MATERIAL IS FOR INFORMATION AND SUPPORT; NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.
# # WHAT IS DEPRESSION? The lows of depression make it tough to function and enjoy life like you once did. Just getting through the day can be overwhelming. No matter hopeless you feel, you can get better. But first, you need to understand depression. Learning about depression—including its signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment—is the first step to overcoming the problem. We all go through ups and downs in our mood. Sadness is a normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but depression is much more than just sadness. Depression is different from feeling down or sad. Unhappiness is something which everyone feels at one time or another, usually due to a particular cause. A person suffering from depression will experience intense emotions of anxiety, hopelessness, negativity and helplessness, and the feelings stay with them instead of going away. Some people describe depression as “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom. However, some depressed people don't feel sad at all—they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic, or men in particular may even feel angry, aggressive, and restless. Depression is a common mental disorder that causes people to experience depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration. Whatever the symptoms, depression is different from normal sadness in that it engulfs your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief. Depression can happen to anyone. Many successful and famous people who seem to have everything going for them battle with this problem. Depression also affects people of every age. Half of the people who have depression will only experience it once but for the other half it will happen again. Living with depression is difficult for those who suffer from it and for their family, friends, and colleagues. It can be difficult to know if you are depressed and what you can do about it.
# # CAUSES OF DEPRESSION :
Have you ever wondered what causes clinical depression? Perhaps you have been diagnosed with major depression, and that's made you question why some people get depressed while others don't. Depression is an extremely complex disease. It occurs for a variety of reasons. Some people experience depression during a serious medical illness. Others may have depression with life changes such as a move or the death of a loved one. Still others have a family history of depression. Those who do may experience depression and feel overwhelmed with sadness and loneliness for no known reason. What Are the Main Causes of Depression? There are a number of factors that may increase the chance of depression, including the following:
1- ABUSE : Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can cause depression later in life.
2- CERTAIN MEDICATIONS : For example, some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers or reserpine, can increase your risk of depression.
3- CONFLICT : Depression may result from personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends.
4- DEATH OR A LOSS : Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, can also increase the risk of depression.
5- GENETICS : A family history of depression may increase the risk. It's thought that depression is passed genetically from one generation to the next. The exact way this happens, though, is not known.
6- MAJOR EVENTS : Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring.
7- OTHER PERSONAL PROBLEMS : Problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses or being cast out of a family or social group can lead to depression.
8- SERIOUS ILLNESS : Sometimes depression co-exists with a major illness or is a reaction to the illness.
9- SUBSTANCE ABUSE : Nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression.
10- NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY : A simple lack of nutrients is one of the most frequent, but least recognized, causes of depression. Few people are aware of the connection between nutrition and depression while they easily understand the connection between nutritional deficiencies and physical illness. Depression is more typically thought of as strictly biochemical-based or emotionally-rooted. On the contrary, nutrition can play a key role in the onset as well as severity and duration of depression.
# # HOW IS BIOLOGY RELATED TO DEPRESSION? Researchers have noted differences in the brains of people who are depressed as compared to people who are not. For instance, the hippocampus, a small part of the brain that is vital to the storage of memories, appears to be smaller in people with a history of depression than in those who've never been depressed. A smaller hippocampus has fewer serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a calming brain chemical known as a neurotransmitter that allows communication between nerves in the brain and the body. It's also thought that the neurotransmitter norepinephrine may be involved in depression. Scientists do not know why the hippocampus is smaller in those with depression. Some researchers have found that the stress hormone cortisol is produced in excess in depressed people. These investigators believe that cortisol has a toxic or poisonous effect on the hippocampus. Some experts theorize that depressed people are simply born with a smaller hippocampus and are therefore inclined to suffer from depression. One thing is certain -- depression is a complex illness with many contributing factors. The latest scans and studies of brain chemistry that show the effects of antidepressants help broaden our understanding of the biochemical processes involved in depression. As scientists gain a better understanding of the cause(s) of depression, health professionals will be able to make better "tailored" diagnoses and, in turn, prescribe more effective treatment plans.
# # HOW IS GENETICS LINKED TO THE RISK OF DEPRESSION ? We know that depression seems to run in families. This suggests that there's a genetic link to depression. Children, siblings, and parents of people with severe depression are much more likely to suffer from depression than are members of the general population. Multiple genes interacting with one another in special ways probably contribute to the various types of depression that run in families. Yet despite all the evidence of a family link to depression, scientists still have not been able to identify a "depression" gene.
# # CAN CERTAIN DRUGS CAUSE DEPRESSION ? In certain people, drugs may lead to depression. For example, medications such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers have been associated with depression, especially in older people. Likewise, medications such as corticosteroids, opioids (codeine, morphine), and anticholinergics taken to relieve stomach cramping have been found to cause mania, which is a highly elated state associated with bipolar disorder. (For in depth information, see WebMD's Medicines That Cause Depression.)
# # WHAT'S THE LINK BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND CHRONIC ILLNESS ? In some people, a chronic illness causes depression. A chronic illness is an illness that lasts for a very long time and usually cannot be cured completely. However, chronic illnesses can often be controlled through diet, exercise, lifestyle habits, and certain medications. Some examples of chronic illnesses that may cause depression are diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, lupus, and multiple sclerosis (MS). Hypothyroidism may also lead to depressed feelings. Researchers believe that treating the depression may also help the co-existing illness improve.
# # IS DEPRESSION LINKED TO CHRONIC PAIN ? When pain lingers for weeks to months, it's referred to as being "chronic." Not only does chronic pain hurt, it also disturbs your sleep, your ability to exercise and be active, your relationships, and your productivity at work. Can you see how chronic pain may also leave you feeling sad, isolated, and depressed? There is help for chronic pain and depression. A multifaceted program of medicine, psychotherapy, support groups, and more can help you manage your pain, ease your depression, and get your life back on track. (For in depth information, see Depression and Chronic Pain.)
# # DOES DEPRESSION OFTEN OCCUR WITH GRIEF? Grief is a common response to loss. Losses that may lead to grief include the death or separation of a loved one, loss of a job, death or loss of a beloved pet, or any number of other changes in life, such as divorce, becoming an "empty nester," or retirement. Anyone can experience grief and loss, but not everyone will experience depression. Each person is unique in how he or she copes with these feelings. (For in depth information, see Grief and Depression.)
# # ARE YOU DEPRESSED? SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION :
If you identify with several of the following signs and symptoms, and they just won’t go away, you may be suffering fro clinical depression. Depression varies from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms. It’s important to remember that these symptoms can be part of life’s normal lows. But the more symptoms you have, the stronger they are, and the longer they’ve lasted—the more likely it is that you’re dealing with depression. When these symptoms are overwhelming and disabling, that's when it's time to seek help.
# # COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION:
1- Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
2- 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.
3- Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
4- Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
5- Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
6- 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.
7- Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
8- Reckless behavior. You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.
9- Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things. Find that previously easy tasks are now difficult.
10- Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.
11- Negative thoughts , And that life is not worth living (Seek help immediately in this case).
# # THERAPY THAT WORKS FOR DEPRESSION, AND THERAPY THAT DOESN'T :
All Psychotherapy are not the same, and some can worsen depression, rather than improvement. When discussing using the Treatment of Depression with Psychotherapy, it's imprortant to make some distinction in the types of treatment. While some have been shown to have high success rates, others are shown to be less effective than actually LEAVING THE DEPRESSION UNTREATED.....! Well, over one hundred thousand separate pieces of research have been carried out into what depression is and the most effective methods for treating it. Findings tell us that the most effective therapies for clinical depression are therapies that aim to teach skills rather than merely attempt to ‘uncover’ origins of and reasons for depression. The most effective therapies are those that are ‘solution-focussed’ that is they seek to alleviate suffering and teach skills which can prevent future relapse. According to the international guidelines for the treatment of clinical depression, therapy should be ‘time limited’ - that is to say if no improvements have occurred within six weeks of the start of the therapy the person should be referred on to another practitioner. The best combination for the treatment of depression is a combination of cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
• Cognitive therapy looks at how we think and interpret events in our lives.
•Behavioral therapy looks at what we do.
•Interpersonal therapy looks at how we relate to others and how good our communication styles are.
-These are all skills based therapies and have been shown to be effective with treating clinical depression. (If it seems difficult to believe that something that feels as awful as clinical depression can be caused by these things, do the Depression Learning Path and see how they affect your body and mind.) So called psychoanalytical therapies or ‘psycho-dynamic’ approaches which attempt to ‘go back’ and discover reasons for things - focusing on what went wrong rather than building on resources are contraindicated for depression and several therapists in the USA have been successfully sued for using this approach for depression. Depressed people often look back and mull over past hurts too much anyway, so common sense tells us that any therapy that extends this process is unlikely to be of lasting help. A depressed person may feel better in the short term when seeing a ‘psycho-dynamic’ therapist simply because of the support. However, thousands of pieces of research show us that lasting symptom relief is unlikely to come from these ‘pathology-focused’ approaches. Depressed people need hope, new skills and different ways of thinking to prevent future bouts of depression. It may be important to address issues from the past but the client has to become equipped and confident for living in the future.This type of therapy has been said to cause 'Paralysis by Analysis', and will often worsen depression. Unfortunately, many doctors, therapists and counselors are unaware of this. This may seem hard to believe, but in most countries, information travels slowly through huge health systems, and health professionals are a busy lot! When seeking help for depression, you must be an enlightened consumer of therapy and counseling.
**** ANYWAY, WHATEVER the therapy happens to be called, therapy for depression must incorporate the following elements:
1. A therapist who has an up-to-date and accurate clinical understanding of what depression is.
2. A therapy which is time-limited, active and focused on learning skills, rather than on personality change.
3. There should be a significant improvement in symptoms within 6 sessions, and usually earlier.
4. A therapist who you feel you can work with. There are well over 400 different types of psychotherapy on offer for clinical depression. This can be confusing to say the least. Luckily, there has been more research into therapy for depression that any other problem, and we know exactly what works, and why.
# # TREATMENT LENGHT FOR DEPRESSION :
The length of time that it takes to recover, ranges from around six months to a year or more, in general. Average treatment length for depression varies depending on the type of depression and treatment methods used. Individuals with mild or situational depression, may benefit from short-term treatment, but severe and persistent depression can require a lifelong treatment. AND, STILL IT DEPENDS ON THE CASE, TYPE OF DEPRESSION, PERSONALITY TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS.
