Depression

What is depression

People may experience either major or mild (dysthymic) depression. Depression is different than brief periods of sadness due to loss or a painful experience. Clinical depression involves overwhelming feelings of sadness, or emptiness and meaninglessness, for at least 2 weeks, along with at least 4 of the other symptoms mentioned below, and significantly interferes with daily functioning.

Symptoms of depression

If you have at least 5 of the following symptoms, and they last more than 2 weeks you may be depressed:

intense sadness for extended periods of time;
loss of motivation and/or interest in daily life; emptiness, despair, and/or hopelessness
inability to sleep or sleeping all the time;
dramatic change in appetite or weight;
exhaustion and fatigue;
agitation and irritability, uncontrollable negative thinking,
low self worth,
difficulty concentrating,
suicidal thoughts (if you feel suicidal, please call the crisis line: 604-872-3311)

Treatment for depression

Approaches to treating depression include counselling, and when necessary medication. Understanding the source of depression is critical to the ability to effectively treat it. Education, and interventions aimed at helping you cope with symptoms, manage stress, and develop preventive strategies are all beneficial aspects of counselling. It is also important to address the issues which led to depression in the first place.

Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is based on the assumption that our thoughts affect our feelings and behaviour, and that by addressing distortions in thinking, we can alter feelings and behaviours. There is also an assumption that our thinking leads to behaviour which reinforces negative feelings and thoughts, so CBT interventions address both thoughts and behaviours.

What you can do

There are many ways to prevent depression, and/or minimize the impact of depression. Here’s just a few:

Find ways to minimize stress in your life,
Exercise regularly and eat right,
Learn ways to improve sleep habits,
Learn breathing and meditation exercises and do them daily – even just 10 minutes a day will help tremendously
Reduce or cut out alcohol or marijuana use, as these both are depressants and exacerbate depressed feelings,
Work on developing a good social support system,
If you are religious or spiritual, foster that aspect of your life
Get a check up to rule out medical conditions as the root of depression, and
Seek medical help if symptoms persist
Don’t be afraid to go to counselling. Professional help is often needed to help overcome depression.

Freedom begins with a single step!

I provide counselling to individuals throughout the Lower Mainland of BC, as my office is easily accessible and centrally located in Downtown Vancouver, across the street from the new Waterfront Sky Train Station.

Don’t ignore the problem any longer!

Simply contact me so we can decide together whether counselling is a good option for you at this time.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Dr Barbara Harris, PhD, MSW, RSW
Phone: 604-728-4535 / Fax: 604-688-7715
Email: barbara-harris@live.ca

Serving the whole Lower Mainland, including, Vancouver, North Vancouver,
West Vancouver and Fraser Valley with:

Trauma Counselling, Counselling for Depression, and Addictions Counselling

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What is Trauma?, Symptoms of Trauma, Trauma and the Brain, Trauma Recovery, Approaches to Trauma Therapy

What is Addiction?, Recovery from Addictions, Emotional Sobriety, Coping with the Addict, Trauma and Addiction