Depression
Almost everyone feels blue from time to time, it’s part of being human. However, if you feel sad, anxious or empty, or experience feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or worthlessness that doesn't go away for weeks, you may be depressed.
Depression has a variety of symptoms; the most prevalent is a feeling of deep sadness. Other possible symptoms of depression include chronic pain, headaches or stomach aches. Some people may feel angry or restless for long periods.
If you are depressed, you are far from alone. In any given one-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million Americans suffer from some form of depression. Unfortunately, most people with a depressive illness do not seek treatment. Many are unaware that they can be successfully treated. Others may be ashamed or worry about the reaction of family, friends and co-workers.
Depression has a variety of symptoms; the most prevalent is a feeling of deep sadness. Other possible symptoms of depression include chronic pain, headaches or stomach aches. Some people may feel angry or restless for long periods.
If you are depressed, you are far from alone. In any given one-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million Americans suffer from some form of depression. Unfortunately, most people with a depressive illness do not seek treatment. Many are unaware that they can be successfully treated. Others may be ashamed or worry about the reaction of family, friends and co-workers.
How does therapy help people recover?
Many believe that the best treatment for depression is medication and talk therapy. Consider talking to a therapist before having medication prescribed.
With a therapist you can examine how you're thinking about the problem and how that may be contributing to your depression. Maybe your relationships are
adding to your sense of sadness and frustration. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause
cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that get in the way of our progress.
Recent studies show that medication is most effective for severe depression only. I will refer clients who don’t experience significant symptom relief to
trusted psychiatrists for medication consideration or management. I believe that talk therapy should be the first course of action. In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
With a therapist you can examine how you're thinking about the problem and how that may be contributing to your depression. Maybe your relationships are
adding to your sense of sadness and frustration. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause
cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that get in the way of our progress.
Recent studies show that medication is most effective for severe depression only. I will refer clients who don’t experience significant symptom relief to
trusted psychiatrists for medication consideration or management. I believe that talk therapy should be the first course of action. In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts; therefore guard accordingly.
Marcus Aurelius
