Depression
Individuals who are depressed experience sadness, emptiness and irritability. Depression is an overwhelming physical and emotional state that disrupts relationships, work, and daily function.
Symptoms of depression include:
feeling hopeless, sad or empty
losing interest in perviously enjoyed activities
change in weight or appetite
change in sleep habits
restlessness
lack of energy
feeling worthless or excessively guilty
inability to concentrate
recurrent thoughts of death
There are risk factors, genetic markers, and life events that can increase the likelihood that a person will experience a depressive episode. Depression affects roughly seven percent of the population in a given year.
Treatment of depression can include:
Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques
Increasing Coping Skills
Bolstering Hope for the Future
Building a Sense of Support and Worth
Behavioral Activation
Goal-Setting
Improving Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy
If you are experiencing depression, please contact me to learn more about how counseling can help.
If you are currently experiencing a mental health emergency, including contemplating suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Resources:
The National Institute of Mental Health
Anxiety & Depression Association of America
Depression Around the Web: