Hi Visitor

E-Quipped to...Detect and Deal With Depression

This newsletter refers to ‘Defeating Depression’, a comprehensive article found on my website.

Depression is the most common complaint of individuals seeking mental health care. By 2020 depression will be the 2nd most disabling health condition in the world.

Alarming statistics perhaps and yet what is more alarming is that many people are not even aware that they are suffering from depression as they are not able to recognise the signs and symptoms in themselves or others. As July is mental illness awareness month it’s the perfect opportunity to educate ourselves about depression.

What is Depression?

There are two core symptoms present in any depressive disorder. The first is that the individual feels depressed. The second is that the depressed individual experiences a noticeable loss of pleasure in hobbies and activities they used to find enjoyable.

Although mood disorders and anxiety disorders are two different disorders (and must be treated as such), it is very common for people with a mood disorder to also have an anxiety disorder (a little less common the other way round).

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

While depressed mood and loss of pleasure are well known symptoms of depression there are many symptoms that people do not always relate to depression. These can be divided in to four categories as below:

For a complete list of symptoms read ‘Defeating Depression’ 

Myths & Misperceptions About Depression

Sadly the ignorance that surrounds depression means that many people are reluctant to tell anyone about their depression, which tends to perpetuate both the misperceptions and the illness itself. It is important to know what depression is not. Two very common myths are:

Myth: Depression is a sign of weakness.

Reality: Depression has a physical cause just like other illnesses such as flu or chickenpox. Depression is ultimately caused by an imbalance of special chemical substances in the brain called neurotransmitters, though genetics, personality and life events may have contributed to the imbalance. No one would ever think to say a person with chickenpox is showing signs of weakness!

Myth: Depression is a sign that you do not have faith in God, because if you have faith depression will go away.

Reality: Depression is not a sign of a lack of faith. It is an illness. Even the saints got ill - some even died of their illness.

Do I Have Depression?

Complete the Depression Scale to find out.

Treating Depression

When it comes to depression, it’s important to know that it can be successfully treated and managed. There are a number of treatments that can be used. (They have all proven to be effective to some sufferers some of the time, but none of them have been effective to all sufferers all of the time!)

It is generally acknowledged that a combination of medication and some form of psychotherapy produces the best treatment response rates. Combination treatments are advantageous as they bring about more rapid relief from symptoms, and usually result in lower relapse rates.

For a full list of treatment options read ‘Defeating Depression’

What do YOU Think?

Share your wisdom with others… How do you detect and defeat depression?

Leave your comments here

What's Next...

Don't miss out on the following events!

Fine china, properly-made tea, dainty eats and stimulating conversation...

More about Tea With Claire

Click on the course title above for more information, prices and online bookings.

Click on the course title above for more information, prices and online bookings.

View all courses

About These Newsletters

You may have been forwarded this email by a friend. In that case, allow me to introduce myself. I am a psychologist, speaker, trainer, coach and hat lover based in Durban, South Africa.

My goal is to inspire you to make the changes necessary to live the life of your dreams! I believe that by developing your YOU-Q - the term I have created to describe your unique intelligence, creativity and wisdom - you can find your Inner winner and live a Be-YOU-tiful life right now.

On my website you'll find more ideas to get you thinking about life, love, work and other important STUFF.

Contact me for more information or visit the website:

+27 82 491 1136
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.clairenewton.co.za

Join the conversation

© 2013 Claire Newton | anti-spam statement | e-Marketing support by