What you should know about Depression and Counseling

Depression is a serious health issue the world over. According to the 2010 report of the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the most common, and the weightiest cause of disability among emotional and behavioral disorders in the United States. This accounts for about 6.7 percent of the adult population or 15.7 million Americans in 2014 (National Institute of Mental Health). Children and adolescents are not spared with one in 33 children and one in eight teens having clinical depression (Center for Mental Health Services, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 1996).

Depression: What is it?

Clinical or major depression can make you feel extremely sad and that life isn’t worth living anymore. It can swamp your mind with a lot of negative thoughts, overwhelming you with unpleasant emotions – hopelessness, guilt, hurt, indifference, lethargy, etc. It can cause you to experience anhedonia or loss of pleasure. In extreme cases, it can significantly reduce your functionality.

There are several factors that may cause depression, including genetics and stressful or traumatic life transition. It is also widely held among emotional health experts that it can be influenced by the levels of certain chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters), such as serotonin and dopamine.

Are You (or Your Child) Depressed

Grief, loneliness and becoming emotionally overwhelmed are not legitimate symptoms of depression. These are feelings that normal and emotionally healthy people experience. These manifestations may be considered as depressive symptoms only when the feelings are excessive, disrupting your normal life, and/or hovering for an extended period of time (longer than two weeks).

The symptoms may also vary between individuals. Some of the common signs and symptoms include: feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, changed sleeping and eating patterns leading to weight loss or gain, difficulty focusing in school or work, and other negative feelings – anxiety, irritability, moodiness or anger. Some may even experience physical pain, even when the doctors can‘t seem to find anything wrong with them.

Depression is Treatable

The best thing that you can do when you suspect you have depression is to seek treatment. Remember that this condition is highly treatable, especially with help from a therapist who is a right fit. To find professional help, call
Carolina Counseling Service – Fuquay-Varina, NC.

Life is beautiful, but you may not realize that when you are gripped with depression. Experience the beauty of life by turning the table on depression. With the help of an independently contracted therapist with CCS, you have the power to turn off depression for good.

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