Depression

Depression can make you feel sad and keep you from enjoying life. Some people may be experiencing severe, chronic depression while others may have situational or atypical depression. Atypical depression means that your depressed mood can brighten in response to positive events.

Depression can affect how you feel, think and behave, and it can lead to emotional and physical problems. You may find that you are sensitive to criticism and this may negatively affect your relationships, social life and job.

You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living. For some people, signs and symptoms of depression can be severe, such as feeling suicidal.

RISK FACTORS FOR DEPRESSION

Risk factors for depression may include:

• • • History of bipolar disorder

    • Misuse of alcohol or recreational drugs

    • Traumatic childhood experiences

    • Environmental stressors

    • lood relatives with a history of depression, bipolar disorder or alcoholism

    • Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one

PREVENTING DEPRESSION

There’s no sure way to prevent depression, but these strategies may help:

• • • Take steps to control stress, to increase your resilience and to boost your self-esteem

    • Reach out to family and friends, especially in times of crisis

    • Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem to help prevent depression from worsening

    • Consider long-term maintenance treatment to help prevent a relapse of symptoms.

CLINICAL DEPRESSION

Clinical Depression or Major Depressive Disorder is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.  More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply “snap out” of it.

Clinical Depression may require long-term treatment. It is important to remember that most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both.

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:

• • • Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness

    • Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters

    • Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports

    • Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much

    • Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort

    • Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain

    • Anxiety, agitation or restlessness

    • Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

    • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame

    • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

    • Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide

    • Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

For many people with clinical depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.

When to get emergency help

if you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Also consider these options if you’re having suicidal thoughts

• • • Call a suicide hotline. Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention 416-408-HELP (4357), Texting 45645, info@torontodistresscentre.com, http:www.torontodistresscentre.com

• • • Seek help from your primary doctor.

• • • Reach out to a close friend or loved one.

• • • Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.

• • • If a loved one or friend is in danger of attempting suicide or has made an attempt: Make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.

(Source: Mayo Clinic)

Feel free to call Margaret directly at 416-822-9659 to book an initial appointment for depression therapy today.