DEPRESSION

Everyone occasionally at one time or another will feel sad or “blue.” These feelings are usually short-lived and will dissipate within a couple of days. However, if these feelings worsen or continue for longer, and when they begin to interfere with your day to day functioning and cause pain and difficulties for both you and those who care about you, then you are likely suffering from some sort of Depression.

Depression is more common and more serious than most people think. Depression severe enough to require formal treatment occurs in about 6% of the women and 3% of the men in this country. Depression can occur, although at lower rates, among children. During adolescence, the rates gradually increase, so that by age 14 or 15 they equal those of adults. Among the elderly, the rates decrease slightly, but depression remains a frequent and serious problem among this age group.Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. The most common reason for this is stems from the intense feelings of helplessness and hopefulness that individuals report feeling. However, the majority, even those with the most severe depression, can and do get better with proper treatment.
The ALC team’s preferred treatment modality is Cognitive-behavioural Therapy (CBT). It has been scientifically proven to be a very effective method in helping individuals learn how to think differently about the issues that concern them and go on to lead happy, much more meaningful lives.

Although no definitive and final answer exists to the question of what causes depression, much is known. Depression may be caused by major negative life events – for example, the death of a loved one, a divorce, a severe financial setback, or even a move to a different neighborhood or part of the country. Other factors that may cause depression include trouble having and keeping social relationships and trouble keeping your everyday life in line with your values in life.

Depression also may be related to faulty thinking patterns. These might include magnifying how badly things are going for you, drawing negative conclusions from life events even when it doesn’t make good sense to do so, and generally having a negative view of oneself, the world, and the future

There are several types of biochemical imbalances that may occur in depression. Depression may develop when a biological predisposition to depression is activated by an event. This predisposition is activated when one experiences a major life event (or a sequence of more minor negative life events) and/or develops a negative cognitive pattern of evaluating oneself and one’s life events. It is believed that the biological characteristics of depression (sleep disturbance, appetite loss, loss of sexual interest, and tiredness) are related to this biochemical imbalance. There are several forms of depressive disorders, but the most commonly reported complaints reported from individuals suffering from all types include significant disruptions in their ability to work ,study, concentrate, sleep, eat, and enjoy previously pleasurable activities. In more extreme cases, ideations of suicide are present as well. Anxiety, agitation and feelings of hostility can also appear in depressed individuals, adding to their confusion as to what is exactly wrong. However, even in the most severe cases, depression can be effectively treated.

Depression affects not just the individual; caring friends and family are also affected. Encouraging the individual to seek treatment is often very difficult, given the resistance that generally is associated with the disorder. While in the process of trying to get the individual to therapy, emotional support and understanding is important. In the case where suicidal ideations have been mentioned, or suspected, it is imperative to inform the individual’s physician or proceed to the local hospital emergency department, or call 911. It is important not to leave the individual alone, or for the individual not to isolate him/herself at this time.