Depression

Depression is a multi-dimensional disorder. It has no single cause and often results from a combination of things. Whatever its cause, depression is not just a state of mind. It is related to physical changes in the brain, and connected to an imbalance of a type of chemical that carries signals in your brain and nerves. The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells called neurons. These neurons send and receive messages from the rest of the body, using brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These brain chemicals (in varying amounts) are responsible for our emotional state. Depression happens when these messages aren’t delivered correctly and disrupt communication.

Depression can also be a learned response, (from a parent or authority figure with negative attributes) often lying dormant in a young person until something happens later in life that triggers it.

Often a depressed person will have a hard time with guilt feelings, taking on board others guilt complexes, intimidation, perfectionism, have lack of understanding of what they are in control of and what they are not, no self control and many other distortions.

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION:

  • Constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension
  • Decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies
  • Loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity
  • A change of appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
  • A change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
  • Restlessness or feeling slowed down
  • Decreased ability to make decisions or to concentrate
  • Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
  • Thoughts of suicide or death

SOME OF THE MORE COMMON FACTORS INVOLVED IN DEPRESSION:

FAMILY HISTORY: Genetics play an important part in depression. It can run in families for generations.

TRAUMA and STRESS: Things like financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, the death of a loved one can bring on depression. You can become depressed after changes in your life, divorce or separation, starting a new job or feeling job insecurity, graduating from school, pressures to do better at school, even getting married.

PESSIMISTIC PERSONALITY: People who have low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at a higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by a low-level depression.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression, partly because of the physical weakness and stress they bring on. Depression can make medical conditions worse, since it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to bear. In some cases, depression can be caused by medications used to treat medical conditions.

OTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS: Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and (especially) substance abuse often appear along with depression.

WHO GETS DEPRESSION?

Although depression can make you feel alone, 16% of Americans will have it during their lifetime. While depression can affect anyone, its effect may vary depending on your age and gender.

WOMEN are almost twice as likely to become depressed as men. The higher risk may be due partly to hormonal changes brought on by puberty, menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy.

MEN are more likely to go undiagnosed and are less likely to seek help for depression. They may show the typical symptoms of depression, but may mask their condition with anger and hostility or with alcohol or drug abuse.

TEENAGERS and CHILDREN have shown an estimated 25-40% increase in depression when they have grown up with a parent that is depressed.

ELDERLY people may lose loved ones and have to adjust to living alone. They may become physically ill and unable to be as active as they once were. These changes can all contribute to depression.

While drugs can help and in some instances is definitely required, Hypnotherapy can teach new coping skills, problem solving skills, resolve interpersonal issues and protect against reoccurrence of depressive episodes by helping people in the way they think and respond to life experiences. Chemical imbalances such as serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine usually return to normal levels when there is an interaction with Hypnotherapy.

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