Mental Health

Over the course of time each of us is faced with challenges in our life that can range from minor to fairly stressful. How we adapt to those challenges, our family history and/or our brain chemistry can result in feeling down or depressed and/or anxious.

Depression

Some of us will occasionally have a few “down” hours or a day and not experience another one for months; others of us experience more down days than not. Feeling down for a persistent period of time is depression. Some people think of depression as something they experience only if it is severe and they can’t get out of bed. The reality is there are many different levels of depression. In fact there are a lot of people who can function by holding down a job or going to school and still be struggling with depression. Sometimes it can be episodic---meaning that it is related purely to an isolated situation in our lives (i.e. break-up with a significant partner, loss of a 2 or 4-footed family member; loss of a job, etc).

Some times depression can occur in response to being bullied by strangers or people we know at home, school, or even the workplace. These behaviors can include verbal harassment such as name calling or being threatened, often because of sexual orientation or gender expression. They are unacceptable in any situation.

If you are  gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning your sexuality or considering taking your own life or could simply use a listening ear or a friendly voice on the other end of the line please contact our friends at The Trevor Project and their 24-hour, 7-day-a-week Helpline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386).

Other times depression can result because of a thyroid imbalance, a response to a chronic health condition such as fatigue, pain or come on for no particular reason. Depression related to these issues may last for months to years, particularly if un-treated.

sad woman

Symptoms of depression can be vary from one person to the next and can include any of the following:

  • Decrease or loss of interest in doing things
  • Feeling down, depressed or hopeless
  • Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
  • Waking up not feeling rested
  • Tearfulness
  • Increased use of recreational drugs including alcohol
  • Feeling tired or having little energy
  • Difficulty getting motivated
  • Difficulty concentrating and/or making decisions
  • Decrease in appetite or increase in eating
  • Negative feelings about yourself, feeling that you have failed or let others down
  • Moving or speaking more slowly than what is normal for you
  • Thoughts that you may be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way
  • Bouts of feeling very energetic/high alternating with period of feeling extremely low and/or having difficulty functioning (these episodes can last weeks or months at a time)

There have been many claims that the use of an over the counter herbal supplement, St. John’s Wort may be helpful in treating depression. Use of St John’s Wort is critical to avoid if you are using a hormonal method of birth control such as pills, the ring, shot, patch or Mirena IUD - as it will decrease the contraception effectiveness and an unplanned pregnancy may result.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. Becoming anxious about an upcoming event such as a job interview or a test might help us focus and prepare better for that event. It helps us cope with what bumps or events occur in our life. There are however several categories of anxiety that range from general anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress syndrome.

overwhelmed woman

Symptoms of anxiety can include any of the following

  • Sweatiness
  • Faintness or dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Feeling flush or chilled
  • Tingling or numb hands
  • Nausea
  • Sudden onset of fear or terror
  • Pounding/racing heart
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath or smothering sensation
  • Sense of unreality
  • Fear of impending doom or losing control
  • Persistent upsetting thoughts
  • Rituals used to control anxiety and thoughts (doing things in a certain order; repeating same behaviors including tapping, repeatedly checking locked doors

Treatment for Depression and Anxiety

Options for treating depression as well as anxiety can include counseling, psychotherapy. medication, lifestyle changes including a different approach to nutrition and activity, meditation or any combination of these. We encourage you to discuss these concerns with the medical provider you see. It is critical that you receive a thorough evaluation---it can make all the difference in the world for you! If we are your sole provider we can assist you in taking the next step(s) including a referral to an appropriate mental health provider.