Are You Struggling with Depression?
Are you experiencing any of the following issues?
- Recurrent sadness or persistent feelings of unhappiness that don’t go away
- A lack of interest or pleasure in doing things that you once enjoyed
- Lethargy or inability to get going
- Inability to concentrate or be active in your own life, so much so, that others around you notice
- Irritability or feeling set off over small things that shouldn’t matter
- Marked changes in appetite or weight
- Feeling that life just isn’t worth living or being actively suicidal
If you or a loved one answered “yes” to one or more of the questions above, it is very important that you seek support from a trained & licensed mental health professional or physician. Advances in therapy & medication have made treating Depression highly successful, whether it is transient & situationally based, following a devastating loss or change, or is a chronic & enduring occurrence in someone’s life. Specifically, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been shown to be the most effective form of therapy, as it teaches the tools needed to change both the skewed, negative thinking & maladaptive behaviors existent in Depression. Through homework exercises, CBT provides structure & consistency, & leads to an overall boost in confidence & feelings of empowerment.
Facts About Depression –
There is no single cause of Depression
In the past few decades, researchers have made tremendous strides in furthering our knowledge about mental illness, particularly Depression. We now know that factors including imbalances in our neurochemistry, genetic links, environmental factors, hormonal variation, physical disease, medications & our ability to cope with stress all play some role.
Statistics
Women are twice as likely to struggle with Depression than men. Hormonal factors tied to menstruation, pregnancy, post-partum changes & menopause, as well as cultural & societal inequalities & increased risk of physical, sexual & emotional abuse are all cited as causes of the disparity. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 265 million people around the world have suffered with an episode of Depression. Nearly 50% of those people are believed to also have an Anxiety Disorder. Furthermore, 15% of all adults will experience a Depressive Episode. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10-34.
If you, or someone you care about, is struggling with any of the issues listed above, please feel free to call, email, or use the convenient “Contact Me” link located on every page to reach out to me. I speak with all potential clients on the telephone before the initial appointment, to ensure we are the right fit for one another. I look forward to the opportunity to help you begin to Live Your Life Fearlessly!