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DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
OVERCOMING EMOTIONAL PAIN, SHAME & GUILT IS LIFE CHANGING
The Support & Guidance You Deserve
At Change4Greatness, we believe that change is possible and that every individual has the capacity to heal, grow, and thrive. Our therapists are highly skilled in evidence-based therapeutic techniques and stay abreast of the latest research to ensure that we provide the most effective and relevant interventions for our clients.
We are dedicated to tailoring our services to meet the specific needs of each individual. Whether you require family counseling, couples counseling, individual therapy, or specialized Trauma Treatment, we offer a wide range of services to address your unique situation.
Our experienced team is committed to helping our clients get the proper diagnosis of their mental health conditions, which is an important step in order to accurately guide treatment and healing.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DEPRESSION
Major Depression
Major depression is characterized by the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure. The symptoms of major depression are constant, ranging from moderate to severe. Left untreated, major depression typically lasts for about six months. Some people experience just a single depressive episode in their lifetime, but more commonly, major depression is a recurring disorder.
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Dysthymia/Persistent Depression(recurring, mild depression)
Persistent Depression is a type of chronic, more mild depression. More days than not, you feel mildly or moderately depressed, although you may have brief periods of normal mood. The symptoms of dysthymia are not as strong as the symptoms of major depression, but they last much longer. Some people also experience major depressive episodes on top of dysthymia, a condition known as “double depression.” If you suffer from dysthymia, you may feel like you have always suffered from depression. Or you may think that your continuous depressed state is just “normal.” However, dysthymia can be treated, even if your symptoms of depression have gone untreated for years.
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Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic depression, is characterized by cycling mood changes. Episodes of depression alternate with manic episodes, which can include impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, rapid speech, and little to no sleep. Typically, the switch from one mood extreme to the other is gradual, with each manic or depressive episode lasting for at least several weeks. When depressed, a person with bipolar disorder exhibits the usual symptoms of major depression.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, indifference, exhaustion, and anxiety that a woman may experience after the birth of her baby. It affects one in every nine women who have had a child, and can affect any woman, regardless of her age, race, or economic background.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) typically starts in the late fall and early winter and dissipates during the spring and summer. Depressive episodes linked to the summer can occur, but are much less common than winter episodes of SAD.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
ANXIETY
Generalized Anxiety
Generalized anxiety is when someone worries about a range of different topics, which may include school or job performance, finances, world events, natural disasters, relationships with others, and other topics. These worries are hard to control and keep popping up, making it hard for people to focus on their activities. Worries happen often and intensely enough that they make it difficult to concentrate and may cause or worsen headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension, and irritability.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is when someone experiences panic attacks that get in the way of their life in some way. Panic attacks can include any combination of sensations, including racing heart, rapid breathing, chest pain, dizziness, nausea or abdominal pain, blurred vision, sweating, shaking, feelings of doom, feeling like the world isn’t real (as though you are in a dream or a movie), or experiencing the moment as though you are outside of yourself. The person may also experience fear of losing control, or fear of dying or going crazy. Panic attacks can be triggered by something specific, or they can occur seemingly out of the blue. They usually reach their peak intensity within 15 minutes. It is important to note that someone can have panic attacks without having panic disorder. When someone has panic disorder, they either avoid situations that they think will cause a panic attack (such as going to the mall, going to the movie theater, or driving), or they experience ongoing worry that they will experience another attack. In the case of panic disorder, panic attacks should not be better explained by a specific phobia or by social anxiety.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia) is a persistent fear of being judged or evaluated by others, accompanied by intense discomfort interacting with others. Someone may be intensely afraid of saying the wrong thing or feeling stupid or embarrassed. This anxiety can happen in just one specific situation, such as giving presentations at school, or in many situations wherein a child is very uncomfortable interacting with peers and adults. As a result, the person with anxiety may avoid interacting with others but still feel comfortable with close friends and family. The person with anxiety may also request that others speak for them, such as ordering food for them at a restaurant. There is a difference between shyness and social anxiety disorder. Shyness involves some minor discomfort interacting with people in certain situations, whereas social anxiety disorder actually gets in the way of the individual’s functioning at home, school, work or in their social circle.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation anxiety disorder is when someone has persistent and excessive worry about being separated from or losing a caregiver or attachment figure. Separation anxiety can be a normal part of a child’s early development, but when the anxiety becomes excessive it can impair their development. Separation anxiety generates thoughts about what will happen to their caregiver when they are separated, such as whether the caregiver die or become ill. The individual also worries about what would happen to themselves if they are separated from their caregiver, such as will they get hurt or will something bad happen to them. Due to this heightened level of anxiety, the person can come across as “clingy” toward their caregiver and have difficulty leaving their side to go to school, be home alone, or go to sleep by themselves. Often, separation anxiety can occur after a stressor or loss.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
(OCD) & (PTSD) used to be grouped with anxiety disorders, but now they are classified under their own category because they have unique causes, unique brain structures involved, and unique treatments that make them separate from anxiety disorders.
Phobias
Phobias are intense fears of specific animals, objects or situations. This would include a fear of dogs, spiders, heights, blood draws, the dentist, or anything else. A person with a phobia either goes out of their way to avoid the feared objected or situation, or they face it, but they experience extreme distress. The fear has to last at least six months before it is considered a phobia.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
What is Depression?
Sadness is a perfectly normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but the symptoms of depression are much more than just sadness. Depression is the overwhelming feeling of sadness when everything in your life seems to be going right. However, some depressed people don’t feel sad at all—they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic, or some may even feel angry, aggressive, and restless. Whatever the symptoms, depression is different from normal sadness in that it engulfs your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief.
The normal ups and downs of life mean that everyone feels sad or down from time to time. But if hopelessness, isolation, and despair have taken hold of your life and won’t go away, you may have symptoms of depression. Depression makes it tough to function and enjoy the things you once did. Just getting through the day can be overwhelming. But no matter how hopeless you feel, you can get better. Understanding the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression is the first step to overcoming the problem.
Symptoms;
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Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness – A feeling that nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to change it.
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Loss of interest in daily activities – No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, and social life. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
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Appetite or weight changes – Significant weight loss or weight gain – a change of more than 5% of body weight in one month.
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Sleep changes – Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping.
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Loss of energy – Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
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Anger or irritability – Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
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Self-loathing – Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
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Reckless behavior – You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.
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Concentration problems – Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
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Unexplained aches and pains – An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a chronic (long-term) condition. It involves intense mood changes that disrupt everyday life — from extreme highs to extreme lows. It affects 1 in 50 Australians each year. Bipolar disorder often develops for the first time during teenage years or early adulthood. It tends to affect more females than males. It is sometimes known as manic depression.
People with bipolar disorder will experience periods of extreme moods at different times:
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Manic (or hypomanic) episodes— feeling very euphoric or high. Hypomania means 'less than mania'. Symptoms of hypomania are like those of a manic episode, but they are less severe and don't last as long. During hypomanic episodes, changes in mood are less severe. This means that they are less likely to affect your functioning at work or with friends.
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Depressive episodes— feeling low, hopeless and very sad.
If you have bipolar disorder, what you experience during each episode (and for how long) can vary. An episode can last for weeks or even months. Your moods may not make sense in the context of what else is going on in your life.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
A person with bipolar disorder goes through mood changes that range between manic and depressive episodes.
During a manic phase, symptoms may include:
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feeling high, very happy or irritable
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inflated self-esteem or grandiose ideas
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increased energy, activity and creativity, along with a reduced need to sleep
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racing thoughts and speech (talking loudly or over people, jumping from topic to topic)
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being very easily distracted by any stimuli (such as noises or other people)
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impulsive or risky behaviours with spending, business or sexual activity
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unrealistic plans, delusions or hallucinations
During a depressive phase, symptoms may include:
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low mood
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lack of motivation
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a loss of interest in usual leisure activities or hobbies
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changes in sleep patterns
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difficulty concentrating
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withdrawing from social contact and activities
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feelings of worthlessness or guilt, which may include suicidal thoughts
What is Anxiety?
Do you worry about work constantly when you are at home or feel anxious and tense even about small events?
Is your mind riddled with a powerless sense of imminent danger, a place where rising panic can be difficult to quell?
Does your apprehension make it tricky to get on with regular life and enjoy each day?
These signs and symptoms are common in those suffering from an anxiety disorder. While difficult anxiety symptoms can affect many aspects of your life, there is hope for a calm and serene horizon.
I have been supporting clients with anxiety disorders for years. The evidence-based therapy I provide often enables clients to laugh freely, relax fully, and ground themselves in the face of fear. I can show you how to worry less about your future and enjoy each day right now.
It is essential to know you are not alone. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 40 million adults, or 18% of Americans, experience an anxiety disorder. The good news? There is help.
Anxiety is not your fault or caused by anything you have or have not done. Like many other illnesses, effective treatments exist to halt the suffering and reconnect you with a happier, healthier life.
So, if you frequently experience
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Constant feelings of dread
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A pounding heart, the racing heightened by the slightest of frights
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Anticipating the worst, regardless of the evidence
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Physical symptoms like headaches, sweating, shakes and jumpiness, trouble concentrating, a frequent need to urinate, and stomach uneasiness
Alternatively, if you often think
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"It is safer to stay at home."
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"But what if".
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"I cannot breathe/do this / relax/stop/switch off!"
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"They or I could be in danger!" Then I am glad you are reading this. My proven steps and therapy methods can bring you great relief.
While I know this condition can come with a stigma that may have stopped you from seeking the care you need, your life can and should improve. If you want me to show you how, please contact me today for an appointment.
Resources; Depressions and Bi-polar Support Alliance
THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
ANXIETY
Generalized Anxiety
Generalized anxiety is when someone worries about a range of different topics, which may include school or job performance, finances, world events, natural disasters, relationships with others, and other topics. These worries are hard to control and keep popping up, making it hard for people to focus on their activities. Worries happen often and intensely enough that they make it difficult to concentrate and may cause or worsen headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension, and irritability.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is when someone experiences panic attacks that get in the way of their life in some way. Panic attacks can include any combination of sensations, including racing heart, rapid breathing, chest pain, dizziness, nausea or abdominal pain, blurred vision, sweating, shaking, feelings of doom, feeling like the world isn’t real (as though you are in a dream or a movie), or experiencing the moment as though you are outside of yourself. The person may also experience fear of losing control, or fear of dying or going crazy. Panic attacks can be triggered by something specific, or they can occur seemingly out of the blue. They usually reach their peak intensity within 15 minutes. It is important to note that someone can have panic attacks without having panic disorder. When someone has panic disorder, they either avoid situations that they think will cause a panic attack (such as going to the mall, going to the movie theater, or driving), or they experience ongoing worry that they will experience another attack. In the case of panic disorder, panic attacks should not be better explained by a specific phobia or by social anxiety.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia) is a persistent fear of being judged or evaluated by others, accompanied by intense discomfort interacting with others. Someone may be intensely afraid of saying the wrong thing or feeling stupid or embarrassed. This anxiety can happen in just one specific situation, such as giving presentations at school, or in many situations wherein a child is very uncomfortable interacting with peers and adults. As a result, the person with anxiety may avoid interacting with others but still feel comfortable with close friends and family. The person with anxiety may also request that others speak for them, such as ordering food for them at a restaurant. There is a difference between shyness and social anxiety disorder. Shyness involves some minor discomfort interacting with people in certain situations, whereas social anxiety disorder actually gets in the way of the individual’s functioning at home, school, work or in their social circle.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation anxiety disorder is when someone has persistent and excessive worry about being separated from or losing a caregiver or attachment figure. Separation anxiety can be a normal part of a child’s early development, but when the anxiety becomes excessive it can impair their development. Separation anxiety generates thoughts about what will happen to their caregiver when they are separated, such as whether the caregiver die or become ill. The individual also worries about what would happen to themselves if they are separated from their caregiver, such as will they get hurt or will something bad happen to them. Due to this heightened level of anxiety, the person can come across as “clingy” toward their caregiver and have difficulty leaving their side to go to school, be home alone, or go to sleep by themselves. Often, separation anxiety can occur after a stressor or loss. For example, for a young child after the loss of a pet, or for a young adult when they move out of their parent’s home for the first time.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Post Traumatice Stress Disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) used to be grouped with anxiety disorders, but now they are classified under their own category because they have unique causes, unique brain structures involved, and unique treatments that make them separate from anxiety disorders.
Postpartum depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, indifference, exhaustion, and anxiety that a woman may experience after the birth of her baby. It affects one in every nine women who have had a child, and can affect any woman, regardless of her age, race, or economic background.
Phobias
Phobias are intense fears of specific animals, objects or situations. This would include a fear of dogs, spiders, heights, blood draws, the dentist, or anything else. A person with a phobia either goes out of their way to avoid the feared objected or situation, or they face it, but they experience extreme distress. The fear has to last at least six months before it is considered a phobia.