Depression is not just a temporary change in mood or a sign of weakness it is a real medical condition that can affect anyone, anytime with many emotional, physical, behavioral and cognitive symptoms. REF: (northdurhamcounsellors.com). Many people are ashamed or afraid to ask for help, while others shrug off their symptoms and end up agonizing in silence. Contrary to some misguided belief, depression is neither predictable nor is it a character flaw.Â
People with depression often get negative ideas such as:
- Lfeelings of worthlessness
- Lsadness throughout the day, nearly every day
- Lexcessive or misplaced feelings of guilt
- Ltiredness or lack of energy
- Lsleeping too much or to the extreme
- Lthoughts of suicide which are associated with the illness
Ref: (Mood Disorder Association of Ontario 2016)
Depression is, in fact, a very widespread medical condition with about 1 in 10 Canadians experiencing episodes of major depressive disorders. It is among the leading causes of disability worldwide and women more so than men are more likely to experience depression as well as people with a family history of depression who are more likely to develop the disease. Anyone can experience depression or be in a low mood at any period of time, but an unshakable low mood with physical and psychological symptoms triggers feelings of being in a clinical depressive state. Being in this state of depression is also associated with feelings of anxiety.
The expression ‘clinical depression’ describes a group of illnesses that are categorised by extreme or long term depressed mood that affects the person’s life. Depression in and of itself is often not recognizable and, as a result, left untreated. Depression can be long-standing or recurrent, substantially impairing an individual’s ability to function at school or at work or simply manage with daily life.
Mental disorders and detrimental use of alcohol contribute too many suicides around the world. Early recognition and effective management is crucial to ensuring that people receive the care they need. When minor, people can be treated without medicines but when depression is apparent or serious they may need medication and professional therapeutic or talking treatments.
Depression is a disorder that can be reliably identified and treated by non-specialists as part of primary health care. Professional help is needed for a small proportion of individuals with complicated depression or for those who do not respond to first-line treatments. (World Health Organization 2016) Depression is a real health problem for which help is available. However, you must first be able to recognize the signs and/or symptoms and know when to ask for help.
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If you are experiencing any of these issues, we strongly suggest you make a confidential call to our office and speak with a counsellor in regards to scheduling an appointment. We are located conveniently within walking distance of the William Osler Hospital. For more information about counselling for depression call 416-409-8045 for a free consultation or fill the confidential form.