Remedies for Depression

Posts Tagged ‘Counseling’

It is not uncommon for a family to have a history of depression. There are many cases where an individual who is suffering from depression does not appear to have an actual reason for suffering the depression. This is where this person’s family history can help them out. There are some people who appear to be genetically depressed, meaning that their family history shows that previous generations appear to have suffered the same problems. Genetic depression is still far from being fully understood. Studies are still being done in order to understand how genetic depression is passed down and how it can be treated in people before it becomes a real problem.

Having a family history of depression does not necessarily mean that the person will suffer depression, though if a person does worry that they might have depression it might not hurt to consult a therapist or counselor about it. It is possible for a person to be a little anxious over the idea that they might slump into a depression that can ruin their lives as it possibly did for their parent and/or grandparent. The therapist or counselor will help the patient see that worry about such a thing will only bring about needless anxiety that will only put the person through unnecessary stress. This stress can build and can quite possibly eventually lead to an onset of depression. The person who worries can also consult an online therapist or an online counselor and ask the professional questions regarding what is worrying them. The online therapist or counselor can then calm the patient’s fears about them possibly having depression. Suggestions and/or advice might be given that can aid the person in trying to avoid falling into a state of depression, how to calm down and how to deal with the stresses in their lives before the stresses get to much.

Anyone who has a family that has a history of depression does not necessarily mean that the individual will ultimately suffer depression. It does, however, show that the person might have an increased risk of developing depression at some time in their life. With the knowledge about their family history, they can start finding ways to avoid depression early in their life. A therapist or a counselor can help the person learn how to deal with the stresses of everyday life, their anxiety and any depression they might be experiencing already. Doing this can give the person a better chance of warding off serious or deep depression that they might develop later in life if they didn’t take measures to prevent it. Expecting it and preparing for it can actually help the person focus on taking control of their life and putting more effort into making the life they want. Being more optimistic and happy can go a long way to helping the person avoid falling into depression. Early help from a therapist or counselor, whether it is online therapy or therapy in person, can also help a person prepare for their life and keep out the stresses and/or anxieties that can push them into depression.

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine - dating back to around 8,000 years ago in ancient China. Acupuncture is the art of inserting tiny needles into specific places on the body and can cure many different ailments including asthma, insomnia and high blood pressure. It is believed that acupuncture can successfully treat over 40 different common health problems - but can it treat depression?

Depression is the most common emotional condition in the United States - affecting, to some degree, an estimated 11 million people every year. Depression is more common in women, affecting around 20% of women as opposed to around 10% of men - although men are more inclined to commit suicide when depressed. The illness costs an estimated $40 billion a year in charges for treatment and lost productivity.

Research suggests that acupuncture can help to treat depression - although there is little firm evidence to date. One major study was undertaken by the National Institute of Health in 1998 - the study determined that sufferers from depression who were treated with acupuncture enjoyed a 40% reduction in symptoms. Other studies have had similar results - those treated with acupuncture were more likely to be cured than those treated with traditional medication or therapy.

According to Chinese wisdom, a person’s body and mind are both part of the same system. Acupuncture treats both the body and the mind at the same time, rather than separating the two. The purpose of acupuncture treatment is to try to balance the body’s life energy, by the skillful placement of the needles. The concept of the life energy is important to our overall sense of well being - a person with a reduced flow of life energy will tend to suffer from stress or depression.

Acupuncture is effective as it tends to work on a person’s general health, rather than treating a specific disease or ailment. It’s also considered to be a natural remedy, so it is recommended for its lack of side effects, rather than medication. Medications can effectively treat depression but often have side effects and can introduce toxins into the body. Most practitioners recommend acupuncture along with therapy to treat depression or anxiety.

Acupuncture supposedly helps treat depression by unblocking the body’s clogged up lines of energy - or meridians. Once the energy lines are unblocked by placing the needles into the correct point on the body, the energy can flow through the body freely and whatever negative symptoms are in the body will then be removed.

It’s likely that acupuncture is effective in treating depression because it helps to stimulate the body’s central nervous system and increases the production of naturally occurring chemicals. These chemicals, which include enkephalins and endorphins, are partly responsible for a person’s feeling of well being.

Acupuncture has several benefits when it comes to treating depression as well as other conditions. There are no side effects and no danger of addiction. Most practitioners also advocate exercise, a healthy diet and lifestyle along with the acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture also helps a person to sleep better, and reduces muscle tension and pain.

Also, being treated for depression with acupuncture is fast - positive results can typically be achieved by just several sessions over several weeks rather than a course of antidepressant drugs which may take several months.

Many people state that they feel better and have more energy after just the first treatment. And as acupuncture tends to treat the actual root cause of depression - there’s a good chance that the treatment may prevent a person from suffering from depression in the future. Those who have been treated for depression by acupuncture usually state that they maintain a feeling of well being after the treatment.

Most people - even those who have a needle phobia - tend to not be too bothered by the needles. The needles used in acupuncture are extremely fine and cause virtually no pain when being used - there may be a slight feeling of discomfort or pressure, when being treated with needles. Many people claim to experience a warm comforting feeling when the needles are inserted. Acupuncture needles are always sterilized and procedures are completely safe.

Research has also been done on the effects of electro-acupuncture. As the name suggests, this technique involves passing a very small electrical current through acupuncture needles. Initial results indicate that those who undergo this technique also benefit from a general feeling of well being and invigoration.

The techniques and the benefits of acupuncture are still a mystery to many people - to the uninitiated, it isn’t considered real medicine. However, acupuncture is becoming more and more acceptable - there are an estimated 9,000 practitioners throughout the US and around 15 million Americans have now benefited from this ancient technique.

Anxiety can be regarded as one of the main causes of depression, because it can make it difficult for a person to be comfortable with themselves, around people or even outside of their home. There appear to be many different causes of anxiety, which can sometimes make it difficult for people to quickly figure out the exact cause of their anxiety. It is sometimes caused by past trauma, by environmental factors or even by a person’s brain chemistry. Research is still being done, but it appears that some people with anxiety experience it as a result of an imbalance of certain chemicals in their brain.

For people who don’t seem to have any clear reason of why they might be suffering from anxiety on a regular basis, it is thought that they could be suffering from a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are a number of chemicals in the brain that can affect a person in such a way if the right levels are not present, including chemicals like serotonin, cortisol, epinephrine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). When all the chemicals are present at the right level in a person’s brain, chances are that this is not the cause of their anxiety; however, if a person has too much or too little of one or more of these chemicals, it could quite possibly be the reason for their anxiety. Tests are still being done on why someone would have this problem, but there is treatment available for anyone with this kind of imbalance. There are different medications offered to patients with these kinds of imbalances that can help to correct the imbalance and ward off some of the anxiety they are experiencing.

Anyone who has questions or concerns about possibly suffering from anxiety should seriously consider consulting a therapist or counselor. Many will avoid doing this because they don’t feel comfortable, or even feel a little anxious about going in to see a therapist or counselor in person. There is an answer to this problem; online therapy. Online therapy has been around for a while now and is becoming more popular all the time. People with concerns of a mental health nature can now look for a therapist online and then message the counselor they find. The online therapist or counselor will then answer any questions or concerns the patient may have through e-mail. The therapist can also work with the patient to find out why they might be experiencing so much anxiety and can then provide the appropriate treatment. Many people who have gone through online therapy have been successfully treated for their depression and anxiety. Online therapy does not limit the kind of treatment or help that a person can receive. It is the same as regular therapy, except that it is online and does not require a person to leave the comfort of their home if they do not want to. Online therapy is completely confidential and offers a more discreet way for people to seek the help that they need.

Hundreds of nursing home administrators in northern Illinois and elsewhere, have provided their residents with relief from depression and other emotional difficulties without adding more drugs. They do so by making psychotherapy available to their residents through the services of a psychologist practicing independently on staff.

This brief question-and-answer guide provides valuable information to help administrators and nursing supervisors get their residents to benefit from outpatient psychotherapy and counseling.

When should you consider psychotherapy or counseling for a resident?

Psychotherapy is a partnership between a long term care resident and a professional, such as a psychologist. The psychologist is highly trained to help residents understand their feelings in order to assist them in changing their behavior.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one-third of adults in the United States experience an emotional or substance abuse problem. Nearly 25 percent of long term care residents suffer at some point from depression or anxiety.

You should consider psychotherapy for your residents under the following circumstances:

When they feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness or helplessness, or lack hope in their lives.

When their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function from day to day. For example, when they are unable to concentrate on ADLs or they are too withdrawn.

When their actions are harmful to themselves or to others. For instance, if they resist directions or become overly aggressive.

When they are troubled by emotional difficulties with family members, a spouse or other residents.

What does research show about the effectiveness of psychotherapy?

Research suggests that therapy effectively decreases residents depression and anxiety and related symptoms—such as pain, fatigue and nausea. Psychotherapy has also been found to increase survival time for heart surgery and cancer patients, and it can have a positive effect on the body’s immune system.

Research increasingly supports the idea that emotional and physical health are very closely linked and that therapy can improve an elderly persons overall health status.

There is convincing evidence that most nursing home residents who have at least several sessions of psychotherapy are far better off than untreated residents with emotional difficulties.

One major study showed that 50 percent of patients noticeably improved after eight sessions while 75 percent of individuals in psychotherapy improved by the end of six months.

How do I find a qualified psychologist for my facility?

Selecting a therapist is a highly individual matter.

There are several ways to get referrals to qualified psychologists, including the following:

Ideally, you will end up with more than one lead. Call and request the opportunity, either by phone or in person, to ask the psychologist some questions about the possibility of doing nursing home work.

You might want to inquire about his or her licensure, approach to psychotherapy and participation in Medicare and other insurance plans. Such a discussion should help you sort through your options and choose someone with whom you believe your residents would interact well.

If a resident begins psychotherapy, how can I help her to gain the most from it?

There are many approaches to outpatient psychotherapy and various formats in which it may occur—including individual, group and family psychotherapy. Despite the variations, all psychotherapy is a two-way process that works especially well when residents and their therapists communicate openly.

Research has shown that the outcome of psychotherapy is improved when the therapist and resident agree early about what the major problems are and how psychotherapy can help.

Your psychologist and resident will both have a responsibility in establishing and maintaining a good working relationship. Be clear with your psychologist about your residents expectations and the best way to work with them and the facility staff. Psychotherapy works best when the resident or family attends all scheduled sessions and give some forethought to what they should discuss.

How can I evaluate whether therapy is working well in my facility?

When your psychologist begins psychotherapy with a resident, you should be sure clear goals are established. Perhaps your resident needs to overcome feelings of hopelessness associated with depression. Or maybe she should learn to control a fear that disrupts her daily life.

Certain tasks will require more time to accomplish than others; your residents may need to adjust their goals depending on how long the psychological therapy will last.

After a few weeks, it is a good sign if you feel the experience truly is a joint effort between you, the psychologist and the staff so that your residents and psychologist enjoy a good rapport. On the other hand, you should be open with the psychologist if you find yourself feeling confused or lacking direction in how the process is supposed to benefit your residents and help your staff.

There may be times when a psychologist may be nervous, rushed, appear cold and disinterested or does not seem to regard a certain resident positively. Tell him/her if this is the situation, or if you question other aspects of his or her approach.

Residents often feel a wide range of emotions during psychotherapy. Some qualms about psychotherapy residents may have result from difficulty in discussing painful and troubling experiences. When this happens, however, it can actually be a positive sign indicating that the residents are starting to explore their thoughts and behaviors.

You should spend time with the psychologist periodically reviewing his/her progress with your residents (or your concern that they may not be making sufficient headway). Although there are other considerations affecting the duration of anyones psychological treatment, success in reaching the primary goals for the resident should be the major factor in deciding when treatment should end.

Psychotherapy and counseling is not easy. But your residents who are willing to work in close partnership with the psychologist often find relief from their emotional distress and begin to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

The most obvious dysfunctional behaviors you will be helped to eliminate are panicking at the first sign of trouble, indulging a pessimism that seems to have a life of its own, using irrational stubborn behavior and having a mindset of HAVING to be right!
Some other defense mechanisms to avoid include blaming others, losing your temper, talking more than listening and using mind-altering substances to reduce anxiety.
It will take work and deliberate effort to remove them from your life but if you do not work on changing these behaviors now you will be prolonging your treatment time.
If you would like more rapidly successful therapy, develop a chart to monitor your progress in reducing these behaviors and work it seriously. Counseling and therapy are often associated with a person who is troubled but intelligent and desirous of enhancing his or her quality of life.
The IQs of those entering therapy are sometimes much higher than those who do not. Similarly, counseling for adults can be easier than for teens; the latter have dysfunctional ways of coping of which they are unaware and sometimes their ability to reflect on their emotions is limited or seems overwhelming.
In some serious cases, patients have to take anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication along with their counseling and psychotherapy. The most popular kind of counseling today is called cognitive-behavioral.
This type of therapy can sometimes achieve positive results in 3 to 6 months. Patients are taught to become aware of their subconscious thoughts that cause painful feelings or behavioral symptoms.
Also, reviewing your familys history of problems can speed things up by helping you to become even more aware of thoughts and behaviors that have been passed down from generation to generation in your family. Some of your resulting insights will be startling.
How about a technique that could help you replace the family symptoms with more constructive behavior? Sound good? Well, cognitive re-structuring will help you with that.
This technique inventories the subconscious thought patterns you received inadvertently from your family that cause your rage, depression and anxiety to rear their ugly heads. The therapist helps you to discover these unhealthy thought patterns and helps you to almost magically transform them so that your rage, anxiety and depression are eliminated.
This counseling technique is also safe, because it is drug-free and when used by a professional counselor, it virtually has no side effects. Writing your thoughts down two or three times a day, then discussing them with your counselor or psychologist can help minimize and re-shape, if not eliminate, these unhealthy thinking patterns and the anxiety that is caused by them.
Also, practicing time-tested relaxation exercises can help if you are having serious anxiety problems, such as panic attacks or irrational fears. It is likely that genes can play a not insignificant role in the development of your vulnerability to episodes of anxiety or depression.
Some researchers believe that there are certain genes that affect a persons likelihood of developing emotional problems. Some believe that the connection is how certain people metabolize various chemicals and hormones that are related to emotional reactivity; rates and efficiency of their metabolism may be impaired in these people, causing more emotional discomfort.
Stress is clearly related to anxiety and is something that cannot be avoided. It is an everyday circumstance and may arise in any given situation.
Though the link between severe stress and heart attack is established, other dysfunctional behaviors have recently been linked to it: chronic rage and anger.
Although the relationship is somewhat hazy, researchers are learning more about it.
One theory is that anger causes the bodys nervous and circulatory systems to prepare to fight danger, causing blood vessels to constrict, blood pressure to increase and the heart to work harder. This might cause cardiac stress which would be sufficient to lead to a heart attack.

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Emotional stress is someth ing that we all experience when we have to cope with the many demands and responsibilities of home and work. Stress can be defined as an intense emotional and physiological reaction to a situation or the mental representation of a situation as a memory or anticipation. Chronic stress is produced when stress reactions do not resolve themselves and become habitual. The sustained physiological effects of chronic stress can have a serious effect on the body and lead to an increased risk of disease. The psychological effects of chronic stress produce fatigue, poor concentration and an impaired ability to perform tasks, which leads to more stress. Stress produces a general feeling of helplessness and negativity, both of which reinforce the stress reactions. This produces a lack of vitality, enthusiasm and creativity and many people describe chronic stress as a heavy blackness that covers everything and in its severe form, chronic stress leads to depression. Chronic stress can result in an increased chance of accidents as well as reducing work performance. Chronic stress also reduces our listening and learning skills and this reduces the quality of communication in our personal relationships and family.

It is well recognized that stress reactions are learned and originate from the influence of our own mental outlook and from belief patterns acquired from our parents, family and culture. Stress always contains both an objective component and a subjective component and in most situations, it is the habitual subjective emotional reactivity that generates the emotional tension and physiological characteristics of stress. There is pain and there is suffering. Pain is the objective component that is often inevitable or unavoidable, but suffering is a subjective reaction that we generate and add to the pain. The Buddha described this subjective suffering as dukkha and not surprisingly, mindfulness, which is one of the central teachings of the Buddha, was and continues to be very relevant for working with and resolving emotional stress.

The other major source of stress comes from unresolved traumas that result from physical injury, assault, domestic abuse and violence. In general this kind of trauma-related stress results from experiences and associated emotional reactions that we cannot process, because they are outside of our normal range of experience. These unresolved wounds become repressed and submerge into the subconscious mind where they continue to simmer and generate a generalized anxiety. This is described as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Occasionally, in severe cases of PTSD resulting from war or other intense situations, the stress reactions will erupt as nightmares and flashbacks in which the individual re-lives the trauma.

Whatever the source of the stress reactions, it is important to understand that each reaction has an internal structure in the form of negative thoughts and beliefs and associated emotional energy that gives power to these thoughts. It is often very helpful to examine these negative thoughts and try to change them. This is the approach taken in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Another approach is to change the emotional energy that empowers the thoughts and beliefs, because without this compulsive charge, the beliefs will have no power to generate stress. This is the approach taken in MMT. Through careful attention and investigation of the emotion through mindfulness, we can uncover the internal structure of the emotion and discover what needs to change. As the structure changes, so does the emotion. Resolve this and you will neutralize the stress reactions.

OVERCOMING STRESS REACTIONS: THE FOUR Rs

Stress is generated by habitual emotional reactions to external events and internal beliefs. These patterns of negative thinking can be changed by the application of the four Rs, which are the primary focus of MMT. These are: RECOGNITION, REFRAMING, RELATIONSHIP, RESOLUTION.

RECOGNITION

All habitual emotional reactions rely on two key elements: ignorance and emotional energy. The first task in MMT is to learn to recognize our stress reactions as they arise in stressful situations. We train ourselves to watch very carefully for any impulse to react. This counteracts the automatic and mechanical part of what makes reactions habitual. The maxim of MMT is that all change begins with mindfulness and mindful-recognition is the first and most important step. You know what pushes your buttons. It might be in your personal relationships with your partner or with your children or perhaps with your parents. One of the most important steps you can take on the path of self-transformation is to take the initiative to examine what stressors cause you to react and to learn to recognize your impulse to react. This is very empowering and changes your attitude from being a victim to being a warrior. For most of the time, most of us react out of habit and have no awareness of what is happening while it is happening. We are simply seduced into the same automatic patterns of reactive thinking over and over again. Clearly, the first step is to break this pattern of ignorance and know what is happening as it happens. This is the fundamental first part of mindfulness. Mindfulness means to be present for experience as it is unfolding.

REFRAMING

Now you are learning to recognize anger reactions, disappointment and frustration reactions, fear and anxiety reactions as they arise in real-time. This new awareness can be very transformational by itself by simply making you conscious of what you are doing. It is a truth that what you don’t see is what has the greatest power over you. Awakening to what is happening is therefore the first step to change.

The next step that paves the way for transformi ng the emotional energy that powers stress reactivity is to change your relationship to the emotion. Our usual response is to say I am angry or I am afraid or I am upset and we literally become the emotion. Contrast this to saying I notice anger/fear/upset in me. Now the emotion becomes reduced to an object, not me, that I can relate to with mindfulness. This simple reframing of how we perceive an emotional reaction - as me or as an object that has arisen in me is itself transformational.

RELATIONSHIP

However, what keeps a reaction alive is the associated emotional charge, without which the reaction would have no power to cause stress. MMT teaches us how to form a non-reactive relationship, the Mindfulness Based Relationship, with this underlying emotional energy that compels us to react. This is the RELATIONSHIP phase of MMT.

The mindfulness relationship is very important. This is where we allow ourselves to open our awareness and investigate the emotional energy, which is quite different to our usual reactions of ignorance, avoidance or aversion. We choose to be fully present with the inner feelings behind the stress reactions, rather than getting sucked into the content and story line. Just as in personal relationships, it is the quality of our PRESENCE, our ability to listen with an open mind and heart that is most important. Now we are learning to cultivate this same presence for our inner emotional stress. The nature of the mind is such that if you allow things to change, they inevitably will. If you allow things to change and unfold into this safe spaciousness of the mindfulness-based relationship, things will change in a beneficial direction that will transform and resolve the inner conflict and pain. It is the habitual reactivity that stops this natural healing and as we learn to disengage from the patterns of reactivity we create the right conditions in which emotional tension will resolve itself.

RESOLUTION

Mindfulness creates a therapeutic space that allows the emotion to unfold and undergo transformation. If you give it space it will change. This is one of the great discoveries made by the Buddha, 2500 years ago and which we are rediscovering today. It is not what we do that matters as much as how we relate to our emotional stress. When this relationship is based on the receptivity and openness of mindfulness, then we create the best possible conditions in which emotional tension can resolve itself.

Resolution can be understood as the process in which a stress producing emotion like anger or anxiety or disappointment undergoes a process of unfolding and differentiation. When we investigate anger with mindfulness, we begin to see that the anger is actually an assembly of more subtle content - the inner structure - in the form of feelings, memories, sensations and often some form of inner imagery that pulls all these parts together into the form of an emotion. The anger differentiates into feelings of sadness, emptiness, fear. With intense stress reactions resulting from trauma, we will likely notice vivid inner imagery. It is by uncovering the internal structure of the emotions and associated imagery that change becomes possible and mindfulness provides one of the best ways of cultivating a safe relationship with painful content by teaching you how to stay present and avoid becoming reactive to what you are uncovering.

Through becoming conscious of the inner structure of the emotions that power our stress reactions, the emotional energy will change and resolve. Without this emotional power, there is nothing to sustain the emotional reactions and life-long patterns of stress producing reactivity begin to dissolve, leaving you free from their compulsive grip. Like the petals of a lotus bud that were previously held and constrained so tightly, the mind begins to explore a new freedom with all its possibilities and choices. This is the freedom that the Buddha talked about and that is possible for all of us to discover through the practice of mindfulness. MMT teaches you how to apply mindfulness to resolve your patterns of habitual reactivity so that you can realize your full potential and enjoy your life and relationships to the full.

Peter Strong, PhD is a scientist and Buddhist psychotherapist who specializes in the study of mindfulness and its application in Mindfulness Meditation Therapy. Peter teaches mindfulness meditation (vipassana) and works with individuals and couples using Mindfulness Meditation Therapy for resolving difficult emotional problems including anxiety, depression, phobias, grief and trauma and the management of anger and stress. Besides face-to-face work, Peter also works with individuals and couples online via email and web conferencing. To learn more visit http://www.mindfulnessmeditationtherapy.com/

Email enquiries welcome.

Major Depressive Disorder - commonly referred as depression - is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It is not to be confused with a passing blue mood - depression can have severe repercussions in the person’s way of life. It affects a person’s appetite, sleep, and work. It affects relationships and how a person feels about himself. Depression is not a sign of weakness, or a condition that can be willed or wished away. One cannot merely change things in a snap - sans treatment, symptoms can last for days, weeks, months, or even years.
Types of Depression
Depressive Disorder comes in different forms. Three of the most common types of depressive disorders are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder - it is instructive to note that within these types are variations in the number of symptoms, persistence, and how severe they are.
Major Depression is evidenced by a combination of symptoms that interfere with one’s ability to live a normal, productive life. A disabling episode of major depression may occur only once, but it more commonly occurs several times in a person’s lifetime.
Dysthymia is a less severe type, but nonetheless keeps one from functioning well. It involves chronic, long-term symptoms that do not disable and leaves one feeling miserable. People suffering dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes some time in their lives.
Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive disorder, is not nearly as prevalent as the other forms of depression. It is characterized by cyclical mood changes - severe highs (mania) and severe lows (depression). Mood variations are sometimes rapid and dramatic, but most often are gradual. An individual in the depressed cycle can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder, and when in the manic cycle, the individual may be overactive and have a great deal of energy. Mania often affects judgment, social behavior, and thinking - which lead to embarrassment and serious problems. Left untreated, mania may worsen into a psychotic state.
Symptoms of Depression
- Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
- Constant feelings of emptiness, irritability, sadness, or tension
- Decreased ability to concentrate or make decisions
- Decreased energy
- Difficulty in remembering
- Fatigue
- Feelings of guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, pessimism, and worthlessness
- Insomnia, early-morning awakening
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities and hobbies that were enjoyed before, including sex
- Oversleeping
- Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, like chronic pain, digestive disorders, headaches
- Restlessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide, sometimes with suicide attempts
Causes of Depression
Depression has no singular cause - it is often a result of a combination of factors. Whatever the cause, depression is not a mere state of mind - it is correlated to physical changes in the brain, and connected to an imbalance of a particular chemical that transports signals in your brain and nerves. These are the neurotransmitters.
Factors Involved in Depression
Family: Genetics play a crucial role in depression. It can run in the family for generations, suggesting that a biological vulnerability can be inherited - often the case in bipolar disorder. Major depression seem to occur generation after generation in some families, but it can also occur in people who have no family history of the illness. Inherited or not, major depressive disorders are often associated with variations in brain function and brain structure.
Pessimistic personality: People with low self-esteem, those who consistently view themselves and the world with negative thoughts, or those who are readily overwhelmed by stress are at a higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by dysthymia.
Physical conditions: Researches through the years have shown that physical changes in the body can be accompanied by mental changes as well. Serious medical conditions like cancer, heart disease, and HIV can contribute to depression, in part because of the physical stress and weakness they bring. Depression can worsen medical conditions, weakening the immune system and making pain more unbearable. The patient loses desire to care for himself, which leads to more complication. In some cases, depression is a side effect of medications used to treat medical conditions.
Stress and Trauma: Major changes in life - breakup from a relationship, death of a loved one, financial problems - can bring depression. Even positive changes like graduating from school getting married, or starting a new job can cause depression.

The normal baby blues can happen in the days right after childbirth and normally disappear within a few days to a week. As a new mother, you can routinely have mood swings, sadness, crying spells, loss of appetite, sleeping problems or feel irritable, restless, anxious and lonely.
Usually, these symptoms are not severe and treatment is not needed. However, there are things you can do to feel better. Nap when the baby does. Ask for help from your spouse, family members and friends. Join a support group of new moms or talk with other moms.
Postpartum depression is not normal, however and can happen anytime within the first year after childbirth. You may have a number of symptoms such as extreme sadness, lack of energy, trouble concentrating, a lot of anxiety and feelings of guilt and worthlessness.
The difference between postpartum depression and the normal baby blues is that postpartum depression will often significantly impair your well-being and keep you from functioning well for longer periods of time. Postpartum depression needs to be treated by a psychologist or physician. Also, counseling, support groups, and medicines can help.
Postpartum psychosis is the most serious emotional condition that can afflict a new mother; However, it is rare. Fortunately, it occurs in only 1 or 2 out of every 1000 births and it usually begins in the first 6 weeks after birth.
If you have been diagnosed with bipolar or schizoaffective disorder, you are likely to have a higher risk for developing postpartum psychosis. Symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, sleep disturbances and obsessive worries about your baby. You may also experience rapid mood swings; from depression to irritability to euphoria.
What should I do if I have symptoms of depression during pregnancy or after childbirth?
You may be reluctant to tell anyone about your symptoms because you may feel embarrassed, ashamed or even guilty about feeling depressed when you are supposed to be happy. You may worry that you will be viewed as an unfit parent.
However, perinatal depression can happen to any woman. It does not mean you are a bad or not together mom; you and your baby do not have to suffer. There is help.
There are different types of individual and talk therapies that can help you if you have perinatal depression; they can help you feel better and do better as a mom. Also, many women with perinatal depression improve when treated with anti-depressant medicine.
Your physician, counselor or psychologist can help you learn more about these options and help you decide which approach is best for you and your baby. Speak to your doctor, psychologist or midwife if you are having symptoms of depression while you are pregnant or after you deliver your baby.
They can give you a questionnaire to test for depression and can also refer you to a mental health professional who is an expert.
Here are some other helpful tips:
1. Get as much rest as you can. Try to nap when the baby naps.
2. Stop putting pressure on yourself to do everything. Do as much as you can and leave the rest!
3. Ask for help with household chores and nighttime feedings. Ask your husband or partner to bring the baby to you so you can breastfeed. If you can, have a friend, family member, or professional support person help you in the home for part of the day.
4. Talk to your husband, partner, family, and friends about how you are feeling.
5. Do not spend a lot of time alone. Get dressed and leave the house. Run an errand or take a short walk.
6. Spend time alone with your husband or partner.
7. Talk with other mothers, so you can learn from their experiences.
8. Join a support group for women with depression. Call a local hotline or look in your telephone book for information and services.
9. Do not make any major life changes during pregnancy. Major changes can cause unneeded stress. Sometimes big changes cannot be avoided. When that happens, try to arrange support and help in your new situation ahead of time.
There are two common types of treatment for depression:
1. Talk therapy. This involves talking to a therapist, psychologist, or social worker to learn to change how depression makes you think, feel, and act.
2. Medicine. Your doctor can give you an antidepressant medicine to help you. These medicines can help relieve the symptoms of depression.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor about the advantages and risks of taking these medicines. Some women are concerned that taking these medicines may harm the baby.
However, a mothers depression can affect her babys development, too so getting treatment is important for both mother and baby. The risks of taking medicine have to be weighed against the risks of depression.
It is a decision that you need to discuss carefully with your doctor. If you decide to take antidepressant medicine, talk to your doctor about which ones are safer to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.
What effects can untreated depression have?
Depression not only hurts you, but also affects your family. Also, some researchers have found that depression during pregnancy can raise your risk of delivering an underweight or premature infant.
Also, if depressed, you may have difficulty caring for yourself during pregnancy. You may have trouble eating and may not gain enough weight; have trouble sleeping; may miss prenatal visits; may not follow medical instructions; have a poor diet; or may use harmful substances, like tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs.
Postpartum depression can affect your ability to parent, as well. You may lack energy, have trouble concentrating, be irritable and may even not be able to meet your babys needs for love and affection.
As a result, you may end up feeling guilty and lose confidence in yourself as a mother, which can worsen your depression. Some researchers believe that postpartum depression can affect the infant by causing delays in language development, impaired emotional bonding, behavioral problems, lower activity levels, sleep problems and abnormal levels of distress.
It can help if the father or another caregiver can assist in meeting the needs of your baby and any other children in the family while you are depressed.
All children deserve the chance to have a healthy mom and you deserve the chance to enjoy your life and your children.
Do not suffer alone. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression during pregnancy or after having your baby, please tell a loved one and call your doctor, midwife or a psychologist right away.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to get the right coping skills and help in order to keep from giving up or giving in.  People with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FM), Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP) and any other chronic pain conditions, can benefit from counseling by a certified therapist for:  stressful life conditions, depression and/or anxiety, abuse histories, adjustment issue to chronic illness, poor support system and many other challenges we face.

There is a connection between FM, CMP and depression. The stress from constant pain and fatigue can cause anxiety, depression, inactivity and social isolation.    It is also possible that anxiety and depression are part of FM and CMP, just like the pain.  Depression and chronic pain can greatly interfere with the way you cope with activities at home or at work.  As a sufferer myself, I know exactly what that’s like.

Chronic pain sufferers most often need a combination of medications (I am on an anti-depressant and several other meds), alternative therapies, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a change in lifestyle habits. So it is important to openly discuss any symptoms of depression you have with our doctors.  Medication is not enough by itself and some prescription drugs make our depression and anxiety worse.

Some people with fibromyalgia and chronic pain may be aware they are depressed. Others may not realize they are depressed, but they know something is just is not right.

Researchers have found that fibromyalgia patients have an inability to process and handle stress. Studies have shown that the breakdown in the adrenals, hypothalamus, pituitary and thyroid glands play a key role in FM patients’ lack of coping mechanisms.  Not only does chronic pain cause enormous stress in our lives, but we are unable to manage it.

All people have stress in their lives which may be unavoidable. FM and other chronic pain sufferers have even more.  Counseling and/or stress management can help us cope with our symptoms and improve our overall reactions to stress.

I have been seeing a certified therapist that has really helped me discover some of the issues that may contribute to my pain.  It’s also not just about the here and now, but past experiences that we think are in the past, are really still simmering in our sub-conscious, affecting our emotional state and our inability to cope with the stress that’s right in front of us.  I resisted therapy for years!  I did not want to go to yet another doctor that I would have to convince that my pain is real and not “all in my head”.  It took seeing several different counselors before I found one that REALLY GOT IT!  It feels like a GREAT weigh has been lifted off my shoulders.  My stress and anxiety are becoming manageable and I feel less and less depressed.

Counselors trained in treating FM and other chronic pain patients can be very helpful, but we have to put in some work ourselves.  Its not easy to make the changes required to make therapy successful, but we need to correct the self-defeating thoughts and actions that have led us to seek help from a professional in the first place. 

Research shows that a combined multidisciplinary treatment approach is the most effective way to achieve symptom relief.  There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there is hope if we seek and get the right help!  Counseling can really make a difference along with the other treatments you may be receiving!

As Fibromyalgia (FM) sufferers we are often made to feel like our pain is “all in your head”, but research has consistently proven that Fibromyalgia is not a form of depression or hypochondria. IT IS REAL!  However, there is a connection between FM and other chronic pain conditions to depression and anxiety.  Treatment is important because both can make FM worse and interfere with symptom management.

There is some debate by medical and mental professionals about what causes what.  The “What came first?  The chicken or the egg” debate translates into “What came first?  The chronic pain or the depression?”  TRUE Fibromyalgia experts, researchers and others know that the chronic pain of FM & overlapping conditions leads to depression and anxiety. 

Fibromyalgia is a common condition in which a person suffers from chronic musculoskeletal pain. There are points called tender points, sometimes all over the body, and these tender and painful points are used as part of the diagnosis of FM. Individuals with FM may also be more susceptible to pain in general. Whenever the tender points are simply touched, they can send sharp pain impulses. Many Fibromyalgia sufferers experience pain all over and some experience pain only in specific regions. It can involve the muscles and the joints. Sometimes, there is so much pain that it is hard to pinpoint exactly where the pain originates.  Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by other overlapping conditions such as chronic myofascial pain (CMP), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), restless legs syndrome (RLS), migraine & tension headaches, interstitial cystitis (IC), mitral valve prolapse (MVP), cognitive dysfunction, depression, anxiety and more.  The symptoms of Fibromyalgia, alone, are wide-ranging and debilitating.  Do they really think that depression and anxiety is the CAUSE for ALL of the above?

Depression is a mental illness characterized by feelings of profound sadness and lack of interest in enjoyable activities. It is a constant low mood that interferes with the ability to function and appreciate things in life. It may cause a wide range of symptoms, both physical and emotional. It can last for weeks, months, or years. People with depression rarely recover without treatment and if you have Fibromyalgia, you may have to fight it for the rest of your life.

Anxiety is a normal state of apprehension, tension, and uneasiness in response to a real or perceived threat.  Although anxiety is considered a normal response to temporary periods of stress or uncertain situations, prolonged, intense, periods of anxiety may indicate an anxiety disorder. Other indicators of an anxiety disorder are anxiety that occurs without an external threat and anxiety that impairs daily functioning.

What can cause depression & anxiety?  Stressful life events, chronic stress, low self-esteem, imbalances in brain chemicals and hormones, lack of control over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness), negative thought patterns and beliefs, chronic pain, chronic physical or mental illness, including thyroid disease & headaches can ALL cause both.  Little or no social  and familial support can be a main factor in depression for FM patients. Family history of depression & anxiety can also be a factor.

Lack of quality sleep is also believed to have an influence on depression.  Since FM & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients tend to have insomnia and/or other sleep disorders, it stands to reason that poor sleep can lead to depression.

There is a wide variety of medications, vitamins, minerals, herbs and therapies that can help ease the impact of pain, anxiety and depression.  With so many out there, you and your doctor may have to go through the process of trial and error to find what works best for you!

Exercise is not only good for FM, it is also highly beneficial for depression and anxiety.  Recent studies suggest exercise can change your brain chemistry. Exercising can boost your level of serotonin, a brain chemical that is effects mood and pain perception. It can also stimulate the production of endorphins, natural painkillers that can give you an overall feeling of well-being.

Exercise is a great for stress, too. It relieves muscle tension and it gets the heart rate up. The combination makes us more relaxed and alert, which helps us deal with our problems in a calmer and more controlled way.

There are several other methods you can use to combat stress, including: meditation, deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery relaxation, relaxation to music, biofeedback, counseling - to help you recognize and release stress. 

You can learn more about this topic, medications, supplements, alternative therapies and more at my website AND I will be writing more articles - so check back here!