depression counseling

Depression takes on many forms, some more serious than others. Occasionally, you may feel “down in the dumps” or as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders. More serious and longer lasting depression includes Seasonal Affective Disorder, Grief Related Depression, Persistent Depressive Disorder and Major Depression. Physical changes caused by diseases such as cancer, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and others can also bring on depression. Depression can be a serious medical illness and requires appropriate treatment for persons afflicted to lead normal lives. Counseling takes into consideration the client’s environment, moods, and external influences. Some common symptoms of depression include:

    • Persistent sadness, hopelessness, pessimism
    • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness— 
    • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and sex
    • Decreased energy and feelings of fatigue
    • Isolating self from others
    • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
    • Insomnia and oversleeping
    • Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
    • Decrease in self-care activities such as showering, exercising
    • Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
    • Restlessness, irritability
    • Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Depression counseling also involves investigating a client’s family history for signs of mental illness among relatives. While studies show that some types of depression run in families, not everyone with the same genetic makeup will suffer from the illness. Environmental factors may also play a part.

Please call A Peaceful Balance Clinical Consultation and Consulting Services at (603) 577-5551, or email info@apeacefulbalance.com, to learn more about how we can help.

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