Depression FAQ's

What is Depression?

Depression is a biological illness that effects behavior, thoughts and feelings.

Although depression can be caused by or worsened by life problems, medical research has shown that depression occurs as a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, just as many other diseases such as diabetes, involve chemical imbalances.

Almost everyone of us has, at one point or another, experienced feelings of unhappiness "a blue mood" that could be associated with a disruptive life event. However, a pervasive feeling of sadness that lasts for more than two weeks, and effects our general functioning is a sign of depression.

Symptoms of Depression

Some common symptoms of depression include:

• Depressed mood, feelings of sadness or emptiness
• Significant weight loss or weight gain of 5% in the last 30 day
• Indecisiveness
• Changes in sleep habits, like insomnia, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much.
• Changes in eating habits, such as loss of appetite or weight gain
• Decreased energy, feeling of fatigue.
• Restlessness and irritability.
• Difficulty in concentration, remembering, difficulty in making decisions.
• Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, guilt or worthlessness.
• Persistent sad, anxious, or empty feelings.
• Loss of interest in one's pleasurable activities, such as involvement with loved ones or hobbies.
• Thoughts of death or suicide
   

Areas Affected by Major Depression

• Physical symptoms
• Behavior problems
• Distorted thinking
• Mood and emotional difficulties
• Troubled relationships
• Specific situations that trigger episodes of depression
• Spiritual or symbolic meanings attached to depression
• The personal history that led to lifestyle patterns that seem related to depression
• Physical aches and pains
• Family history of depression or mental illness
  
  

Depression-How It May Feel

• Things just seem "off" or "wrong."
• You don't feel hopeful or happy about anything in your life.
• You're crying a lot, either at nothing, or something that normally would be insignificant.
• You feel like you're moving (and thinking) in slow motion.
• Getting up in the morning requires a lot of effort.
• Carrying on a normal conversation is a struggle. You can't seem to express yourself.
• You're having trouble making simple decisions.
• Your friends and family really irritate you.
• You're not sure if you still love your spouse/significant other.
• Smiling feels stiff and awkward. It's like your smiling muscles are frozen.
• It seems like there's a glass wall between you and the rest of the world.
• You're forgetful, and it's very difficult to concentrate on anything.
• You're anxious and worried a lot.
• Everything seems hopeless.
• You feel like you can't do anything right.
• You have recurring thoughts of death and/or suicidal impulses. Suicide seems like a welcome relief.
• You have a feeling of impending doom - you think something bad is going to happen, although you may not be sure what.
• In your perception of the world around you, it's always cloudy. Even on sunny days, it seems cloudy and gray.
• You feel as though you're drowning or suffocating.
• You're agitated, jumpy and and anxious much of the time.
• Your senses seem dulled; food tastes bland and uninteresting, music doesn't seem to affect you, you don't bother smelling flowers anymore.
• Incessantly and uncontrollably into your mind comes the memory of every failure, every bad or uncomfortable experience, interview or date, like a torrent of negativity.
  
  

WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?

In the brain there are naturally occurring substances called "neurotransmitters." These are the chemical messengers, which carry electrical signals from one nerve cell in the brain to another, across spaces called "synapsis." The neurotransmitters that play a significant role in maintaining our mood are primarily "serotonin and norepinephrine." When these neurotransmitters are in low levels, the vegetative symptoms of depression, as listed above, become clinically evident. Over a lifetime, one out of five Americans will experience a major depression.

There are a variety of factors that can cause the neurotransmitters to not function properly:

• Stressfull situations such as the loss of a loved one, change of career, moving to a new location, change in family situation, divorce, loss of a job
  
  
• Medical conditions. Some health conditions can cause a person to more likely be depressed.
  Some of these health conditions are:
  

Treatment of Depression

The treatment of depression can be twofold, namely,psychotherapy and psychopharmacotherapy.

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is basically coounseling by a therapist. The purpose for pyschotherapy is to help individuals to process what is occuring in their life that may be the cause for the depression. A good therapist will have a whole-person approach to therapy. They will explore the emotional, physical, spiritual, intellectual, relational, and nutritional aspects of each individual. These are the concepts found in Moving Beyond Depression and the treatment philosophy of The Center for Counseling & Health Resources.

For most individuals 1-2 sessions a week of counseling will help them overcome depression, especially with the use of antidepressants and/or nutritional supplements. However, for some individuals with major or long term depression, Specialized Intensive Treatment may be required. This is counseling on a daily bais for several weeks.

Psychopharmacotherapy
This consists of medicines called "antidepressant medication." The antidepressants help to restore the balance of the neurotransmitters in the brain and thereby, relieve the vegetative symptoms of depression. Normally these medications are nonaddictive and are helpful for most people. However, at tiems there are side effects from the medications that can cause some individuals to not want to use the medications.. For example extreme drowsiness or hyperativity, loss of sexual drive, rashes, harm to the liver. Also, there is the high cost of some antidepressants.

Nutritional Supplements may be another option. They normally have fewer side effects and be very effective for mild depression.

Balance Boost is a specially formulated nutritional power pack distributed exclusively by The Center. It is based upon the principles found in Dr. Jantz' book "Moving Beyond Depression".
Great product especially for fall and winter months.
Learn More about Balance Boost.

Most of the supplements below help in depression becuase they either help to bring balance to hormononal levels or help bring balance in blood sugar levels.

Incandescent Light Bulbs for S.A.D.
S.A.D. is a form of depression marked by its seasonality. More than 10 million Americans are afflicted by S.A.D. Photo or Light therapy may help. Click here to read more about S.A.D.