Depression…
The Dark Side of the Soul

Important Message About Depression
If you have found this website page because you feel depressed, know depression is treatable. More than 20 million people in the United States are diagnosed with depression, and every day with proper treatment, people are helped. No one should go through life struggling with the disruptive symptoms of depression. I hope the information provided here will be the beginning of information and help.

On This Page . . .

• What is Depression?
• What is Major Depression?
• Symptoms of Depression?
• What is Mania?
• What Causes Depression?
• Treatments for Depression?
• Can EMDR Help with Depression
• Children, Teens and Depression
• Suicide and Helping Someone Who is Depressed

What is Depression?

• Depression is a mood disorder with common symptoms of
  sadness, hopelessness, guilt, self doubt and apathy.
• Symptoms range from mild to severe, and can persist for days or years.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) frequently involves
  depression, and should be taken seriously.
• There are several different kinds of depression which vary in
  symptoms, severity and persistence.
• We know some types of depression run in families.
• Daily routines and normal activities may become more difficult.
• If the depressed person also suffers from periods of mania, the
  disorder may be bipolar in nature.
• Depression is not grief. Grief is a normal reaction to loss such
  as the death of a loved one, and has predictable stages.

What is Major Depression?
The National Institute of Mental Health defines major depressive disorder as a combination of symptoms which interfere with one’s ability to work, sleep, study, and eat. Major depression can be paralyzing, and can interfere with a person’s normal life. An episode of clinical depression may occur only once in a person’s lifetime. Often, however, it reoccurs throughout a person’s life. A major depression must include one of the symptoms of either depressed mood or loss of interest. The symptoms must be present daily or for most of the day or nearly daily for at least two weeks.

Symptoms of Depression
Depression does not usually go away by itself. Left untreated, the
symptoms can worsen, and include harmful behaviors such as over
drinking, self medication or suicide. One does not have to experience
all of the following symptoms, however these are most common to
depression:

• difficulty concentrating
• fatigue and decreased energy
• excessive guilt
• worthlessness
• helplessness
• hopelessness or despair
• insomnia
• early-morning waking
• excessive sleeping
• irritability
• restlessness
• loss of interest in pleasure
• loss of libido
• overeating
• no appetite
• persistent aches or pains
• sadness not connected to any particular even
• suicidal thoughts
• physical ailments without a medical diagnosis

What is Mania?
Mania is a highly elevated mood that can occur with bipolar disorder. Moods in bipolar disorder ‘swing’ from extreme lows of depression to extreme highs of mania. Often mania is misinterpreted as something positive . . .”Well, Joe is finally building the arc he always wanted!” Mania, however, is an abnormal elevation in mood, and is serious. Mania often leads to lack of judgement and dangerous risk taking behaviors. Mania requires medical evaluation and treatment. The symptoms of mania include:

• abnormally elevated mood
• irritability
• decreased need for sleep
• grandiose ideas
• increased talking
• racing thoughts
• increased activity
• increased sexual activity
• increased energy
• poor judgment leading to risk-taking behavior
• inappropriate social behavior

What Causes Depression?
There are several different causes for depression, and depression is not the same for all people. Some people may experience only one depressive episode, while others may have chronic depression. Some may have mild symptoms, some serious. Some depressions are of the kind where a person has no control over such as a chemical imbalance, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related depression, post surgery or postpartum depression. Below are only a few examples of causes of depression:

• Psychological and Situational Depression
  Relationship break ups, divorce, separation, unexpected life events, financial problems, the loss of a job are normal circumstances which can cause depression. However, the death of a loved one usually involves an acute ‘grief reaction’ and is a normal response to losing someone we love. Often, this grief reaction is accompanied by the same symptoms found in a clinical depression and can feel just as painful. During a psychological or emotionally caused depression evaluation, I look at five main areas in my clients which can cause serious or prolonged depression:
  • Unresolved Anger
  • Unresolved Guilt (True guilt or false guilt)
  • Loss of any kind (Delayed grief reaction issues)
  • Identity or Self Esteem Issues
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma history

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  Even though PTSD is a separate diagnosis, PTSD often includes depression or depressive symptoms, so it is important to include brief information here. PTSD is an intense emotional response or delayed response to a traumatic or extraordinary experience, usually involving danger, terror or fear. Trauma can be physical, emotional, or verbal. A few examples are:

• • Assault
  • Auto accidents
  • War
  • Family abuse
  • Involved in a disaster
  • Humiliation
  • Witnessing others (such as siblings) being abused
  • Seeing parents in abusive situations

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is more prevalent than ever before, and the medical and clinical fields now know more about how PTSD effects people emotionally and disrupts all areas of one’s life. Effective treatment is available for PTSD, and EMDR is an excellent mode of therapy for all levels of trauma. Information can be found on the EMDR page of this site.

• • • Medical & Physical Depression
      Our bodies and our brains have the potential for creating depression in the form of chemical imbalances in our system. Our bodies need sufficient rest, sleep, food, water, exercise and nutrients to function properly. Medical problems such as cancer, heart attack, strokes, and hormonal disorders can cause depression. Below are a few example of when the body can become disrupted.
  • • Post Surgery Depression
      After a major surgery, depression is common. Unfortunately, many physicians do not address this with their patients. During surgery, the body is essentially traumatized. Extremely potent medications have been used before, during and after major surgeries. Not to mention strong pain medications which may be needed post surgery for several weeks.
  • • During or after a bout with the flu a brief depression is common. Your body and emotions are healing. Remember when you said to yourself “will I ever feel normal again?”
  • • Brain Chemical Imbalance
      Biological systems and changes in the body’s chemistry will usually affect one’s mood and thoughts, often leading to depression. We know antidepressant medications work well to repair the imbalances in the brain.
  • • Chemical Addictions
      are often connected with depression. It is not uncommon for an individual to begin to use or abuse chemicals in an attempt to numb a painful event.
  • • SAD . . Seasonal Affective Disorder
      Seasonal depression, often called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is depression that occurs each year at the same time. It usually starts in the fall or winter and ends in spring or early summer. It is more than just “the winter blues” or “cabin fever.” A rare form of SAD, known as “summer depression,” begins in late spring or early summer and ends in fall.
  • • Holiday Depression
      The holidays can bring out the best in us and the worst. For some people, the holidays are filled with negative childhood memories of hurt, sadness, or unresolved family issues. Holiday depression is characterized by a feeling of “the blues”, sadness and loss. Some describe it as an ’empty’ feeling. When everyone else around them is anticipating the holiday season, enjoying the fun and celebration, the depressed person only wants it ‘all over with.’ As soon as the holidays pass, the depression lifts and a regular routine and stable emotions resume.
  • • Anniversary Depression
      This oftentimes ‘brief’ depression is experienced when a person feels the signs and symptoms of a psychological depression, but it is due to a previous loss or event in one’s life. It usually begins before the anniversary date of the actual loss and can extend for a few weeks after. In all, it may last a month or two. Clinically, this is considered a ‘grief reaction’ to a past loss, but feels similar to depression and can have the same symptoms. Often when we lose a loved one, we think we are supposed to do our grieving and get on with life. However, significant and unexpected losses such as the death of a child may cause prolonged emotional disturbances. Anniversary depression begins with the time of year of the loss, the intense memories, recalling the emotional pain of the loss and a mild to severe period of grief, once again going through the stages. You may think to yourself “I thought I was over this,” and not understand what is happening. Anniversary depression does pass.
  • • Hormonal Depression
      Gone untreated, thyroid disease can cause depression. Hormonal imbalances are also found at times when a woman’s cycle or body is interrupted. Times such as pregnancy, post childbirth, post hysterectomy, post tubaligation, premenstrual, post miscarriage, and after stopping the birth control pill, are times when hormones are not stable and can cause depression in women.
  • Postpartum Depression
    As many as 75% of new moms get the “baby blues.” But about 1 in 10 moms develop a more serious condition called postpartum depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, postpartum depression is diagnosed when a new mother develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery. Symptoms of postpartum depression are feeling restless, anxious, fatigued and worthless. Some new moms worry they will hurt themselves or their babies. Unlike the “baby blues,” postpartum depression does not go away quickly. Researchers think that changes in a woman’s hormone levels during and after pregnancy may lead to postpartum depression. The most important step is accurate diagnosis from a licensed clinician. Since depression involves the body, emotions, thoughts, and behavior, a thorough assessment and evaluation is necessary. The right diagnosis is crucial, as depression can be a symptom of a more serious medical or physical condition.

  Treatments for Depression
  Common treatments are medication and psychotherapy, usually combined. Medication is an effective treatment to reduce symptoms, psychotherapy will help you begin to resolve your emotional and psychological issues which may have added to the depression. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) can be an effective treatment for dealing with the psychological causes for depression. EMDR info is on this website.

  If you have reluctance to taking medications, ask your psychiatrist or therapist to explain exactly how they work. Remember, knowledge is power. The more you understand about medication prescribed to you, the more active you are in your treatment. If you were diagnosed with diabetes, heart problems or thyroid illness, you probably wouldn’t hesitate. Medication, in combination with therapy, is often a successful course of treatment for depression.

  Modern medicine has evolved to enhance the quality of your life beyond what we could ever dream of several years ago. Lives are saved every day due to the right diagnosis and the right treatment.

  We can’t forget the things you can do for yourself to help with mild depression: eating right, good sleep, exercise.

  Can EMDR Help with Depression?
  EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), is a powerful and often rapid therapeutic technique, and can be used by a trained EMDR therapist to help you effectively deal with the underlying emotional causes of depression. If you suffer from a psychological depression, which is often connected with unresolved guilt, anger, loss or past disturbing memories, EMDR can be extremely effective. EMDR is a breakthrough therapy for dealing with many emotional issues. Information is on the EMDR page. Dr. Logan is EMDR Certified by EMDRIA.

  Children, Teens and Depression
  Children and teens do get depressed. Symptoms are often overlooked and looked on as a ‘stage’ or hormonal changes. Depression is more common in boys under the age of ten, and girls over the age of 16. Not all children will display all symptoms, however, here are a few which may be present:

  Symptoms:

  • Sadness
  • Appetite and sleep changes
  • Low energy and fatigue
  • Withdrawl
  • Lack of interest in friends and school
  • Thoughts about suicide and death
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Increased crying spells
  • Angry and frequent outbursts
  • Sensitive to rejection
  • Mood changes
  • Physical symptoms (stomach aches and headaches) which do not respond to medical treatment.

  The Most Common Symptoms in Children Are:

  • Change in social behaviors
  • Loss of interest in friends and school
  • Easily upset

  If you think your child or teen shows signs of depression, do not hesitate to have him/her assessed and evaluated. We have no specific medical or psychological tests for depression, but questionnaires, a thorough assessment and evaluation regarding both the child and parents is useful in diagnosing depression.

  The treatment for children with depression are similar to those for adults. Medications are effective along with having a ‘safe’ place for a child or teen to talk about their problems is helpful.

  Suicide and Helping Someone You Know Who is Depressed
  Suicide is the eleventh most common cause of death in the United States. People may consider suicide when they are hopeless and can’t see any other solution to their problems.

  In 2004, more than 32,000 people in the United States committed suicide. More than 90 percent of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable mental disorder, most commonly a depressive disorder or a substance abuse disorder.

  Suicide is the second cause of death in ages 25 – 34
  Suicide is the third cause of death in ages 15 -25
  Suicide is the fourth cause of death in ages 18 – 65

  The highest suicide rates in the U.S. are found in white men, though women and teens report more suicide attempts. Four times as many men as women die by suicide.

  Helping Someone Who is Depressed
  Children and teens DO think about death and suicide. And depressed individuals, no matter what the age, often are not able to communicate exactly what they are thinking or feeling. 75 % of suicide victims show some warning signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is important to take the signs of depression seriously.

  Depressed individuals almost always lack the focus and energy to make an appointment and drive themselves. Because of shame or embarrassment, the person might attempt to ‘cover up’ and tell you they ‘feel better.’

  If someone talks about suicide, take them seriously. Contact 9ll or contact 800-SUICIDE (784-2433). For further help with suicidal thoughts, see Mental Health Resource Links.

  Disclaimer
  This page has summarized only brief descriptions and types of a few common depressions, symptoms and treatments for educational purposes only, and is not intended for clinical diagnosis or treatment. Please talk with your physician or therapist if you think you may be depressed. If you have suicidal thoughts, you can call 911, or go to Mental Health Resource Links.

Lynne Logan Ph.D., M.F.T.
Serving Orange County

Call 714-883-9722