Counselling for Depression
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Jennifer McDermott, M.A., R.S.W., Counselling Services can help you if you are not feeling like yourself & possibly depressed. When life is not going well, it is normal to feel sad or anxious. Some people may even lose sleep & the desire to eat. However, as time passes & life settles back into its routine these feelings should fade. Depression on the other hand is quite different from this situation where one may feel down for just a few days. The term depression is used in the clinical setting to refer to a serious medical condition effecting the brain's chemistry. Depression is a severe illness, just like heart disease, & is not a sign of weakness.
How to Recognize Depression
Something more may be happening, if your inner unrest lasts for weeks or months & it is negatively impacting and interfering with your life. Some of the signs of depression are:
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What Causes Depression?
It is unclear exactly what causes depression & how it develops. In depression, however, the neural circuits fail to function properly & critical neurotransmitters are impaired. The neural circuits are responsible for the regulation of mood, thinking, appetite & how people behave in general. This medical condition may cause intense emotional pain.
Some potential risk factors include:
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- Depression running in the family
- Mental & emotional aspects of one's life are out of balance - Substance abuse - Physically overtraining - Poor nutrition & eating disorders - Women hormonal issues concurrent with social factors - Serious illness (such as heart disease, stroke, AIDS, diabetes or cancer) - Low self-esteem with a tendency to be pessimistic, as well as easily overwhelmed |
Therapy
Without treatment & therapy, symptoms of depression can last for months & in some cases even years. With appropriate & timely treatment, however, most people can recover from depression. The most effective course of treatment for moderate to severe cases of depression is through a combination of therapy & drug treatment. Medications from your physician may be helpful for reducing symptoms, while therapy can assist with an understanding of the causes, relieve suffering & provide life skills to cope & handle with similar situations.
If you think you're depressed or simply just going through a difficult period in your life, Jennifer McDermott Counselling Services can help assess & assist you with addressing this concern.