Depression
Depression
Seeking help is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.
What is depression?
Depression is a long-lasting condition of suffering and pain, an inability to get out of bed, pain, loss of interest in life, and dysfunction for a period longer than 2 weeks. It also includes symptoms such as lack of energy, reduced appetite, changes in the quality and duration of sleep, fear, and laziness. Mental pain is created that affects the ability to perform daily activities. It is extreme, paralyzing despair – where external medical help is vital.
What causes depression?
Depression can occur as a reaction to things such as abuse, bullying at school, the death of a close person, or family issues such as domestic violence or family separation. Some people experience depression after prolonged exposure to stress. Depression can also be inherited within a family. Sometimes, the cause of depression may not be known.
What are the symptoms of depressive disorder?
Almost everyone feels sad and hopeless from time to time. While it is normal to feel sad or hopeless due to specific events or even without an obvious reason, these feelings usually resolve as circumstances change.
Clinical depression is different. It is a medical disorder, and it won't go away just because we want it to. Clinical depression is a medical condition that lasts for at least two weeks and significantly disrupts a person's ability to function in daily life.
Depression affects the brain in ways that can be seen and measured. For example, certain areas of the brain, such as the frontal lobes and the hippocampus, are smaller in people with depression. At a more detailed level, depression involves problems with how certain brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters – specifically serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It also affects the sleep pattern and hormone levels, including cortisol and thyroid hormones. However, understanding the exact cause of depression is complex and remains incomplete. It involves both genetic and external factors, and there is no clear way to predict who will be affected.
Despite the physical evidence of depression in the brain, its symptoms are not always visible, making it difficult to identify those struggling with the condition. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, people often wait more than ten years before seeking help for mental health issues, highlighting the challenge of early detection and treatment of depression.
- a lack of hope for improvement in life
- losing interest in something that previously brought pleasure
- lack of energy
- sudden weight loss
- feeling of worthlessness or guilt without any reason
- recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
- increased irritability
Our therapeutic process
Your first step is to contact us to schedule your initial appointment. We work hard to connect you with a therapist whom we believe is the best fit for you and your current struggles.
Your initial evaluation session provides you with the opportunity to build a rapport with the therapist and give them some background about yourself and the reasons you're seeking counseling. Additionally, they will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the services, confidentiality, and what to expect during therapy. Keeping your best interests in mind, together you will decide on the treatment that will benefit you the most.
At the end of your first session, if you decide to continue and work with that therapist, you will be asked to schedule additional appointments. During your second session, you will collaborate with your therapist to set goals for your overall therapy experience and begin working together to achieve them.
Contact us at +389 78 265 578 and speak with any of our staff members to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
Benefits of therapy for depression and anxiety
- Enhanced communication
- Positive transformation
- Increased self-confidence
- Struggles for power and identity
- Improved well-being
- Personalized treatment
