Depression is common and treatable. It can strike anyone at any age. Consulting with your physician or a licensed mental health provider is the best way to find out if you are suffering from depression and the type of depression you might be having.
A person with depression can
experience a few or many of the following symptoms:
Feelings of sadness and emptiness
Feelings of anxiety
Experiencing restlessness or
irritability
Losing interest in all or most
activities
Problems with appetite that can lead
to weight gain or weight loss
Sleeping problems
Loss of interest in sex
Low energy that can include feeling
tired much of the time
Difficulty with concentration or
making decisions
Feeling negative towards oneself
including worthlessness or excessive guilt
Feeling hopeless or helplessness
Crying spells
Increased use of alcohol or drug use
in order to cope with a depressed mood
Thoughts of death/suicidal ideation
Many people might not have the
awareness that the underlying cause of the above-mentioned symptoms is
depression; therefore, they cannot get the treatment they need. It is difficult
to treat something that one has not identified yet. Over time, serious levels
of depression that are not addressed get worse and can lead to other
health-related issues. It can even lead to suicide.
There are different kinds of
depression; hence, one person’s needs will differ from those of someone else.
Psychotherapy is the most common treatment for depression. Psychotherapy can
help on many different levels including integration of the clients’ body
experiences in relation to their thoughts and emotions along with resolving or
coping with issues that may contribute to their depression. Most mental health
providers agree treatments for depression with suicidal ideation or other
serious symptoms require a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy. Some
patients who might not show progress with standard treatments for depression
might need additional resources.
In my counseling work with people who
suffer from depression, I often notice that they have an inner critic which
constantly makes them feel discouraged, inadequate and in many cases worthless.
When the inner critic is the dominant voice inside a person, depression is
likely to be present. Identifying the inner critic can be done by encouraging clients
to pay attention to their body and their nervous system activation. For
example, when Jack noticed his neck and
shoulders curved forward, his head looking down, and unpleasant tension in his
jaw, he was invited to become curious about this body language. The body
language is a voice that does not use words and always tells the truth. He
discovered an inner dialogue associated with this body posture, and it involved
the following thought, “I am going to lose my job.” He
realized how often he tells himself that his job is at jeopardy. When he was
invited to examine all the reasons that he won’t lose his job, and all the
resources that can help him to find another job in case he was let go, he
noticed a shift in his body. He started sitting up straight with his shoulder
pushing out, his jaw loosened, and he reported feeling more confident. He was
encouraged to embody this new level of confidence by noticing all the positive
shifts in his body including his deeper breath and feeling more relaxed in his
shoulders. By tracking his pleasant bodily sensations that he was experiencing
as result of identifying helpful resources, he was creating a physiological
event in his body which led to regulating his nervous system. This can be a
powerful approach to help someone suffering from negative self talk to use
their body as a resource to modify such self-defeating dialogue.
There are many ways to work with
negative inner dialogues and painful emotions that accompany them. It is helpful
for clients and therapists to explore different treatment options as they work
together. A collaborative therapeutic approach helps people to feel empowered
and in control of their recovery from
depression.
Working
with a mental health therapist to explore treatment options for depression is
an important step toward healing. I hope anyone who is suffering from
depression reaches out and gets the help they need. Everyone’s pain is unique, and no one
deserves to suffer in silence. Reaching out and asking for help is a courageous
act that people can do in response to suffering from depression.
©
Dr. Payam Ghassemlou MFT, Ph.D., is a marriage and family
therapist in private practice in West Hollywood, California. www.DrPayam.com
www.somaticaliveness.com
www.somaticaliveness.com
