Depression Treatment
Depression is a serious mental health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. It can lead to sadness, dark and low moods, negative thinking and emptiness, and difficulty forming relationships and maintaining focus at work or school. For some individuals , depression can become so severe that it can interfere with their day-to-day life and make even simple tasks seem insurmountable. The good news is that various treatments are available for those struggling with depression. At Transformative Counselling, you will work one-on-one with the therapist to implement a treatment plan that best suits your needs that fosters support, healing and change.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a mental illness characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy. It can interfere with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and enjoy life. People with depression may experience shame, toxic self criticism, worthlessness, hopelessness, patterns of negative thinking and deal with thoughts of suicide.
​Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting millions of people around the world. It affects people of all ages, genders, and cultures. Depression is treatable, but it often requires professional help. If you think you might be depressed, Transformative Counselling is here to help you find your way through the pain and suffering that accompanies dealing with depression.
What Are The Different Types Of Depression?
There are four main types of depression:
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Major Depressive Disorder
This is the most common type of depression, characterized by a persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. Major depressive disorder can also cause physical symptoms like fatigue and sleep problems. -
Persistent Depressive Disorder
This type of depression is characterized by a long-term (chronic) feeling of sadness and low mood, with episodes of major depression interspersed with periods of less severe symptom -
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression). People with bipolar disorder often have periods of mania, where they feel extremely happy and energized, followed by periods of depression, where they feel very down and low energy. -
Seasonal Affective Disorder
This type of depression is related to seasonal changes and usually begins in the fall or winter when there is less natural light. Symptoms include feelings of hopelessness, low energy, and increased sleepiness.
Who Can Be Affected By Depression?
Depression can affect anyone at any age, from any walk of life. It does not discriminate. Depression affects both men and women, young and old. While the majority of people with depression are diagnosed in adulthood, depression can affect children and adolescents as well.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
There are many signs and symptoms of depression, varying from person to person. Some common signs and symptoms include:
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Feeling sad or empty
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Decreased energy or fatigue
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Difficulty concentrating
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Changes in appetite
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Sleep disturbances
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Irritability
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Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact Transformative Counselling to begin your healing journey.
How Do You Diagnose Depression?
If you think you may be depressed, the first step is to see your doctor or mental health professional. You will be asked about your symptoms, such as how long you've been experiencing them and any other important information about your mental health and lifestyle that may be contributing to the depressive symptoms.
​Your doctor will also likely give you a physical exam to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. If he or she suspects you are depressed, he or she may refer you to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health specialist for further evaluation.
To diagnose depression, mental health professionals typically use the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and provides a common language and standard criteria for classifying mental disorders.
​To be diagnosed with depression, you must have experienced five or more of the following symptoms during the same two-week period:
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Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
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Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day
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Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease/increase in appetite nearly every day
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Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
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Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others)
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Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
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Feelings of worthlessness or excessive/inappropriate guilt nearly every day
What Treatment Options Does Transformative Counselling Offer For Depression?
At Transformative Counselling, you will encounter up to date psychotherapeutic interventions to help you find healing, moving beyond your depression.
​Psychotherapy treatments for depression are all person centered based, which means all treatments are unique to you as an individual and come from a place of respect and personal safety. Treatments at Transformative Counselling include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) , Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Intergrative Therapy, as well as incorporating a mindfulness based approach to free the patient to explore feelings and thoughts that they would not normally feel comfortable expressing. These therapy types can help you identify and change unhelpful emotional experiences, negative thought patterns and maladaptive behaviours that contribute to your depression.
​Every case is unique, so it is very important that you reach out to a professional to discover and treat the root of your depression, and assist you in living a better way of life.
​Contact Transformative Counselling now to start your journey.
