There are many views as to what depression is and isn’t. Largely it is understood by a variety of symptoms—feeling down, blue, losing interest in things that used to be important to us, etc. There can also be difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or even getting out of bed. Many of us have experienced these to varying degrees. When we are feeling down, and our lives are negatively affected by it for a sustained period of time, it can be said that something is wrong, and needs to be addressed. There are different kinds of depression that are important to distinguish between here. One is situational depression, another is standing depression, and important to understand also is brain injury.
First, we will look at situational depression. Watch this short 1-minute video that describes what situational depression is by a Scott Bea, PsyD, at the Cleveland Clinic.
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Have you experienced situation depression before? What caused it?
How were you able to move out of that or how did it end?
Are you still experiencing depression now and want help coming through it?
Dr. Bea emphasizes that it is good to seek counseling to determine if what you are experiencing is a short-term and temporary situation. It may resolve on its own when the situation causing the change is resolved. A counselor can assist you into the proper course of treatment. Identifying what has triggered the change is key. Then, the steps needed to resolve it can be laid out. We can remember as discussed yesterday that conflict is normal to life and we will encounter change and resistance. Our expectations are not always met. Life calls us to be flexible yet remain standing firmly on our true beliefs. There is more to the story! Follow this link to learn more about depression:
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As many mental health professionals will attest to, often medication can help with various types of depression, both short term situational depression, adjustment disorder, and more long-term standing depression. They will also attest that very often medication is not the answer alone and may not be right for everyone. Factors such as diet, exercise, hobbies, and education can all greatly affect our mental health, and each of these should be considered while making decisions about improving our lives.
Standing depression and major depression are certainly more than a bad mood. One who is dealing with long-term symptoms need not suffer alone. Reach out, seek help, learn more. Dealing with depression on your own without help is not recommended and stopping behaviors that aggravate or worsen depressive symptoms is important. It is well known as we learned in Week 1, that alcohol is a depressant. So, that’s good news! Abstaining from alcohol consumption is contributing to your mental health.
Brain Injury and Depression
Now, a little about brain injury and depression. Depression is common to people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). About half of people experience some form of depression in the year coming after the injury (Jesse Fann, MD, MPH, and Tessa Hart, PhD). Some of the causes of TBI include physical changes in the brain because of injury, emotional response to injury, and other factors other than injury such as genetic predisposition, family history, and factors that were present before the brain injury occurred.
There are many therapies available including medication and a combination of medicine and therapy. Some types of therapy include psychotherapeutic approaches, cognitive behavioral, behavioral activation, and biofeedback therapies. Again, seeking out professional counseling is important to receive an appropriate combination of therapies and gaining access to the right resources for you.
Remember, in connection to alcohol and/or substance use/abuse, that abstinence from established patterns of addictive behaviors can be implemented in your life right now. Your past does not have to dictate your future! Establishing new patterns and allowing your brain and body to heal though may take time. Consistency and perseverance with new disciplines and lifestyle offers great hope. Even if you have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder, there are so many resources and treatments available to you.
I am reminded of the winters of Massachusetts. A cold, hard ground can be covered with snow even into late winter—early and mid-March. There is a resilient and beautiful flower that will be among the first to emerge out from the ground, the Crocus flower. It’s purple and yellow petals give a dramatic contrast to the white, icy snow. New life can emerge from even the coldest of winter seasons! It is a sign that Spring is coming! Below are some links for further study on depression and mental health.
Question for Reflection: What comes to mind when you think about new growth in your life?
Helpful Links
- For more general information about depression, contact the National Institute of Mental Health at 1-866-615-6464 (toll-free) or visit their website at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml.
- If you have strong thoughts of suicide and a suicide plan, call a local crisis line, 911, the 24-hour National Crisis Hotline at 800-273-8255, or go to an emergency room immediately.
Book Links
Feeling Good Handbook by David D. Burns, M.D.
Mindful Way Through Unhapiness by Mark Williams et al.