Types of Depression
Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as do other illnesses, such as heart disease.
Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms (see symptom list) that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. These disabling episodes of depression can occur once, twice, or several times in a lifetime.
A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep you from functioning at "full steam" or from feeling good. Sometimes people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes.
Another type is bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depressive illness. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorders involve cycles of depression and elation or mania. Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, you can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, unwise business or financial decisions may be made when an individual is in a manic phase. Bipolar disorder is often a chronic recurring condition.
Depression is Serious
Depression is the number one mental health problem in America. Many people think of depression as a long-term, deep sadness, something that takes place in the mind and its emotions. While that’s true to an extent, depression also has a destructive effect on the body. Nearly 11 million people become depressed (about 1 in 20) every year. Most of people's down moods are not diagnosable because it is normal to have ups and downs through life.
Front Range Counseling Center (FRCC) has counselors that have received training to help those struggling with depression. It is our goal to provide hope for those struggling with depression and we believe that this does not have to be a life consuming issue for people. We believe that certain coping skills and correct thinkingl principles can help an individual find victory over depression that incapacitates and holds individuals in emotional, spiritual, social, and mental bondage.
Symptoms typically come and go, but can persist for months or years, disrupting peoples’ personal lives and careers and causing great unhappiness. It causes pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care about them. In the past decade, great strides have been made in understanding these disorders and how to treat them.
This inventory will help you determine your potential for depression and depression-related problems. Place a check in front of each statement you agree with. A key for evaluating the results appears at the end of this inventory.
___ 1. I feel like crying more often that I did a year ago.
___ 2. I have lost interest in the things I used to enjoy.
___ 3. I feel blue and sad.
___ 4. I feel helpless a good part of the time.
___ 5. I feel hopeless about the future.
___ 6. I feel that I am not useful or needed.
___ 7. I am losing my appetite.
___ 8. I notice I am losing weight without trying.
___ 9. I have trouble staying asleep through the night.
___ 10. I am restless and jumpy a lot.
___ 11. My mind isn’t as clear as it used to be.
___ 12. I have less energy than usual; I tire easily or for no reason.
___ 13. I have lost a lot of my motivation.
___ 14. I have been very irritable lately.
___ 15. Morning is the worst part of the day.
___ 16. I find myself introspecting a lot.
___ 17. I don’t like the way I am or I don’t like who I am.
___ 18. I think about the past a lot.
___ 19. I have more physical problems (headaches, upset stomach, constipation,
rapid heartbeat, etc.) than I did a year ago.
___ 20. People have noticed that I don’t do my job as well as I used to.
___ 21. I have recently been thinking that life is not worth living.
___ 22. I think other people would be better off if I were dead.
If you placed a check mark in front of at least seven statements OR if you placed a check mark in front of statement number 1, number 2, or number 3 and these symptoms have persisted for at least two weeks, there is a strong possibility that you may be experiencing serious depression. Your condition is treatable and can be alleviated by a professional psychiatrist. It is important , however that you seek professional assistance before your condition worsens
If you are depressed, you are in emotional pain. You may feel you have no more energy to perform for others. The effort to put on the happy face for appearances is just too much. Additionally, there may be feelings of shame...You may even contemplate, "what would people think if they knew I was depressed?"
How counseling can help treat depression
- A counselor can help identify the life problems that are contributing to your depression and help you decide on changes. You may need help to set goals, see new options and learn new approaches to your problems.
- A counselor can help you identify distorted thought patterns that contribute to your feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, for example, self-defeating thoughts such as "I've always been a loser and I always will be."
- A counselor can help you to stop overgeneralizing and sending yourself negative messages.
- A counseling can help you regain a sense of control and pleasure in life.
Treatment of Depression
Medications can be very useful in helping some types of depression, particularly moderate to severe depression. Medication combined with psychotherapy is especially helpful; however, your use of medication should be monitored by a prescribing physician.
Depression is one of the most common reasons that cause people to seek psychotherapy.
Cognitive-behavior therapy has been found in controlled studies to be an effective form of treatment for depression--in fact, it appears to be as effective as antidepressant medications. Cognitive-behavior therapy for depression focuses on the clinical observation that depressed mood often seems to result from negative patterns of thinking and behaving. For example, chronically depressed people often have thoughts like, 'I'm a failure,' 'I can't do anything right,' 'I'll never accomplish my goals,' 'No one cares about me,' or similar.
These thoughts can feel powerful and compelling, but usually do not tell a balanced, reasonable story. In cognitive-behavior therapy, patient and therapist work together to determine what types of negative thinking are problematic for the depressed patient, and what types of coping or balanced thoughts can be used to provide a better perspective, to lift the depressed person's mood, and help him/her function better. The therapy also focuses on helping the depressed person increase his or her activity level or find more gratifying, pleasurable activities.
In therapy sessions, the therapist takes an active approach to teaching here-and-now coping strategies to help patients understand and change cognitive beliefs and behaviors that contribute to the depressed mood. This is an active, problem-solving therapy approach. Practicing new skills outside of sessions is a central part of treatment. A key goal of cognitive-behavior therapy is to provide you with tools that you can use to work on your depressive symptoms and to prevent future episodes.
The counselors at FRCC offer a wide variety of approaches to treating depression. They will educate how to manage depressive symptoms, change negative self-talk, engage in pleasurable activities, challenge erroneous belief systems, find meaning in your life, and process or explore the possible causes of your depression and identify what may be perpetuating your depression.
If you are wanting help with depression, our counseling center provides individual counseling for various mood disorders. We also provide . There are two ways to setup an appointment with one of our counselors: 1) Fill out the Contact Form and a counselor will call you with 24-hours; 2) Call our offices at 303-933-5800.