Life events, both positive and negative, affect an individual’s emotional, physical and behavioral health. Some of these events include:
- Death of a spouse or significant other
- Job loss or change
- Divorce or separation
- Relocation
- Birth of a child
- Fertility issues (inability or difficulty in conceiving a child) miscarriage
- Financial concerns
- Serious illness/injury
Depression and Anxiety are common when stressors of daily life exceed the coping mechanisms we have to deal with change. It is not uncommon for individuals to experience mild depression or anxiety. When these feelings are intense or last for an extended period of time, help may be necessary. We can help. We have a caring team of professionals to address issues related to anxiety, depression, and many other issues.
Depressionis not something you can “snap out of.” It is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, along with other factors. Depression is often described as a “black curtain” or “dark hole” from which individuals find difficulty in escaping. Many people feel like they have no energy and can’t concentrate. Symptoms will vary. When present, depression affects you, your family, your work, and outside interests. Depression is treatable.
Depression—Some Warning Signs
- Depressed mood (may be irritable mood in children or adolescence)
- Diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities that used to bring pleasure
- Significant increase or decrease in weight
- Change in sleep pattern (more or less than average)
- Change in usual activity pattern (may range from restlessness to sitting idly)
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt or worrying
- Diminished ability to think, concentrate, make decisions, remember
- Recurrent thought of death or thoughts/plan for suicide
If you are in immediate, serious crisis, please contact your physician or local hospital or emergency department for evaluation and treatment.
Women are twice as likely as men to develop depression. This may be triggered in hormonal changes in the body due to puberty, menstruation, pregnancy/ child birth, or menopause.
Men have a lesser risk of depression than women, yet are more likely to go undiagnosed and not receive treatment. Symptoms in men may vary and may include: anger and hostility which may be masked by use of drugs or alcohol.
Elderly may lose loved ones and have to adjust to living alone. They may have physical illnesses and have become less active. This may contribute to depression. They are less likely to discuss their symptoms and will often be overlooked by loved ones who assume these signs are a normal part of the aging process.
Anxiety Fear and anxiety are normal parts of life. Anxiety can be differentiated from fear by the following: fear is a rational emotion to a real threat. Anxiety, on the other hand, is an irrational response to an imagined threat. Anxiety is best described as a psychological disturbance caused by prolonged thought processes which perpetuate it. If ignored, anxiety may eventually cause irrational fears, specific phobias and panic attacks.
Anxiety—Some Warning Signs
- Constant worrying
- Trembling or muscle tension
- Feeling tense or inability to relax
- Feeling tired
- Having trouble staying focused
- Feeling irritable or grouchy
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Physically ill when worrying
Other issues we address:
- Alcohol/drug dependency with or without diagnosis
- Depression
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- Extreme anger
- Suicidal feelings/thoughts
- Phobias
- Dangerous behavior
- Schizophrenia
- Hallucinations/delusional thinking
- Manic depressive disorder
- Physical/sexual abuse
- Other issues