|
Are You Suffering From Depression?
You
don’t have to feel sad to be clinically depressed. Withdrawal from friends
and family or persistent feelings of isolation, not "fitting in,"
may also be indications of depression. The National Institute of Mental
Health lists the following symptoms of clinical depression:
- Persistent
sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feelings
of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, helplessness
- Loss
of interest and pleasure in activities previously enjoyed
- Lack
of interest in sex
- Problems
with sleep (insomnia, interrupted sleep, or too much sleep)
- Eating
problems (overeating or loss of appetite)
- Decreased
energy and motivation
- Thoughts
of suicide or death
- Increased
restlessness and irritability
- Difficulties
with memory, concentration, or decision-making
- Physical
symptoms such as chronic headaches, back aches, digestive problems
that persist in spite of medical treatment
If you
have been experiencing one or more of these symptoms for several weeks
or months, and your solutions are not working, you may be suffering
from clinical depression. Clinical depression is caused by a combination
of biological, genetic, situational and psychological factors. Some
episodes of depression may occur without an identifiable cause.
Use of alcohol and drugs may be an attempt to self-medicate or "mask"
your depression – or may in fact be the cause of it. You may not be
to blame for your depression, but you can be responsible for your recovery
from it. If untreated, depression may result in a downward spiral of
self-isolation from sources of support and renewal.
How
Does Psychotherapy Help Depression?
There
are various forms of intervention for depression. In general, therapy
with an experienced, licensed profession will help you:
- Pinpoint
factors contributing to your depression
- Identify
thinking styles and behavioral patterns that lead to feelings of hopelessness,
worthlessness, helplessness
- Target
those elements in your life that may be resolved or changed
- Identify
or develop new options
- Learn
problem-solving tools and strategies
- Improve
communication and interactions with others
- Set
realistic goals and expectations
- Learn
how to accept what can not be changed
- Regain
a sense of control and enjoyment in your life
- Build
a support system to help prevent future episodes of depression
A serious
depression impairs your ability to function in your everyday activities.
By conducting a thorough assessment, a trained experienced professional
is able to make recommendations about the best individual course of
treatment for you.
|