Depression Therapy in Edmonton
Assessment and treatment for depression explained
What is depression
For most people, the term depression is associated with feeling sad or having a low mood. While depression definitely encompasses a low mood, it also has more global symptoms that carry into a variety of concerns.
Changes to mood
Many people think depressions is about being sad. For many people, however, depression feelings more like irritability, frustration, or numbness. Depression includes a lack of interest in the things you would normally enjoy. Even when you do the activities you normally like, it doesn’t create the same pleasure or satisfaction as before.
Changes to thoughts
Depression can cause people to feel badly about themselves. This sometimes sounds like “I’m a burden” or “nothing I do is good enough”. Feelings of guilt that do not match the situation are also common with depression. People experiencing depression may have an increase in thoughts of death and dying. This can sound like “I just want to go to sleep and not wake up” or could involve more active thoughts to harming oneself.
Changes to behaviour
Changes to sleep, appetite, and weight can also be symptoms of depression. That is, some people with depression have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early. Other people may find themselves sleeping much more than normal. Energy decreases with depression; causing you to feel tired or fatigued regardless of sleep. Concentration, decision-making, and memory may be worsened by depression. Sometimes people with depression or those around them will notice that they seem to be moving or speaking slower than normal.
How is depression diagnosed
Changes to sleep and appetite are seen in depression which can either decrease or increase. That is, some people with depression may have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early, whereas other people may find themselves sleeping much more than they normally would. Similarly, an unintentional increase or decrease in eating or weight is common.
Energy, on the other hand, decreases with depression; usually individuals with depression feeling tired or fatigued regardless of how much sleep they get. Along these lines, one’s concentration, decision-making, and memory may be worsened by depression. Sometimes people with depression or those around them will notice that they seem to be moving or speaking slower than normal.
Currently, there is no specific medical test confirm a depressive episode. Diagnosis is based on reported symptoms as well as ruling out other possible causes. It is important to work alongside a clinician that can help to rule out other possible causes that present similar to depression. Certain health conditions such as thyroid issues and progressive diseases can include a depressed mood. Medications and supplements could also have impacts of mood as a side effect.
We cannot selectively numb emotions. When we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive ones
Types of depression and mood disorders
There are several different types of depressive disorders, each with certain unique features. Some depressive disorders commonly experienced by adults include (but are not limited to):
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Post Partum Depression (PPD)
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the diagnosis given when the depression criteria have been met over a period of time and the symptoms are negatively taking a toll on your work and personal life.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that has a seasonal component, meaning that it is related to the specific time of year.
Self-help strategies for depressed mood
The foundations for overall good mental health often start with physical activity, social support, sleep, and nutrition
There are many excellent self-help resources available for depressed mood management.
The role of therapy in treating depression
Many different types of therapy can be effective in treating depression. Most commonly, Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is used as a first-line treatment for Major Depressive Disorder. Therapy approaches to treat symptoms of depression typically focus on aspects of thoughts or beliefs that may be unhelpful as well as behavior changes.
Often in depression there are rigid black-and-white all-or-nothing thinking patterns. This type of thought pattern can leave you feeling like “everything is bad” and “no one cares” while discounting information to the contrary. Counselling can help to identify thought patterns that are maintaining a depressive mood and replace them with more balanced thinking or change one’s relationship to the thought altogether.
FAQ about depression
Q: What does a depressive episode look like?
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Q: What are the best treatments for depression?
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Q: Is major depressive disorder a lifelong condition?
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Q: What things make depression worse?
Want to learn more about depression?
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