Depression Counselling Calgary
What is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that significantly impacts an individual’s emotional well-being, thoughts, and behavior. It goes beyond occasional feelings of sadness and can lead to various emotional and physical challenges. Depression causes persistent feelings of sorrow, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. It also affects how a person feels, thinks, and behaves, often leading to emotional and physical problems. Depression counselling can help individuals manage and heal from depression and depressive symptoms. The following explores the symptoms of depression, types of depression, and depression treatment.
Symptoms of Depression
There are a number of signs and symptoms of depression that include:
Persistent Sad Mood: Feeling consistently down or irritable.
Loss of Interest: A marked decrease in pleasure or interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Negative Thoughts: Experiencing feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness.
Changes in Appetite and Sleep: Significant weight loss or gain, disrupted sleep patterns.
Fatigue and Low Energy: Feeling constantly tired and lacking motivation.
Thoughts of Death or Suicide: Suicidal ideation or plans.
Duration: Depressive episodes can last an average of six to seven months, but individual experiences vary. Some episodes may be as short as two weeks, while others last over a year.
Types of Depression
Depression manifests in various forms, affecting individuals differently. Here are seven common types:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Also known as clinical depression, MDD involves persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in weight and sleep patterns, fatigue, guilt, and thoughts of death or suicide. If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, a diagnosis of MDD is often made.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): Formerly called dysthymia, PDD is chronic and lasts for at least two years. It may be mild, moderate, or severe. Symptoms include sadness, loss of interest, irritability, guilt, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances, and fatigue.
Bipolar Disorder: Also known as manic depression, bipolar disorder involves alternating periods of depression and mania (elevated mood). Individuals experience extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression).
Postpartum Depression: Occurs after childbirth, affecting new mothers. Symptoms include sadness, anxiety, fatigue, and difficulty bonding with the baby.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Linked to seasonal changes, SAD typically occurs during fall and winter. Symptoms include low mood, fatigue, and increased sleep.
Psychotic Depression: Combines depression with psychosis (hallucinations or delusions). Individuals may experience false beliefs or hear voices.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): A severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), PMDD causes mood swings, irritability, and sadness before menstruation.
Counselling for Depression
There are a number of treatment options for depression therapy in Calgary that can include:
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy:
IFS facilitates a dialogue between the client and their depressed part
Understanding this part, why it does what it does
Finding and healing the parts the depressed part may be protecting
Helping this part to unburden and to take on a new role and function
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
Focuses on accepting distressing thoughts and feelings.
Encourages commitment to values-based actions.
Enhances psychological flexibility.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns.
Helps individuals develop healthier coping strategies.
Addresses distorted beliefs related to depression.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT):
Targets interpersonal relationships and communication.
Aims to improve social functioning and resolve conflicts.
Useful for addressing grief, role transitions, and interpersonal disputes.
Behavioral Activation Therapy (BA):
Encourages engagement in positive activities.
Counteracts withdrawal and isolation associated with depression.
Helps restore a sense of purpose and pleasure.
Why Choose Us?
At Wellness Psychology, we have depression counsellors who are trained in alleviating and relieving the symptoms of depression you may be experiencing. Treatment for depression can range from symptom management and relief, understanding the underlying beliefs and root issues that cause depression, and healing those areas. This can result in new beliefs, new ways of thinking, hope, joy, and living life in a new way. If this is you, we would be happy to support you in this.
