Terrace Counseling - Depression Info

Brian Warren, LMFTA

What is Major Depressive Disorder?

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a serious condition which can make life feel like it is no longer worth living. It feeds into a downward spiral of hopelessness and negative thoughts that can be very difficult to escape from.

Things to know about depression:

Depression has been shown to have physical, cognitive and environmental causes. This does not mean that depression is entirely biological, nor does it mean that someone living in a nice home, with a loving family cannot be depressed.

Episodes of depression occur in an estimated one in five men, and one in three women throughout their lifetimes. You are not alone, weak, or defective for feeling depressed.

Women are often very vulnerable to depression shortly after childbirth. This is known as Postpartum Depression, and is something I have worked with a number of times. The good news is, with treatment it can, and often does, go away. The bad news is, it often gets more severe with every subsequent child's birth.

Treatments for Depression:

Extensive research has been done on treatments for depression, and we are beginning to have a fairly good idea of what works, and what doesn't. Research studies consistently show that psychotherapy can help an individual recover from depression. Further, the benefits of anti-depressants and psychotherapy are shown to be far superior than anti-depressants by themselves.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is the leading psychological treatment for depression and anxiety disorders. It is highly researched and has shown time after time to produce results. When searching for a CBT therapist it is important to find someone that you can work well with, and possesses a Master's degree or higher in clinical psychology, counseling, or social work.

If you are living in Snohomish County or North King County, and are looking for a therapist trained in CBT, I encourage you to contact me at the number on the bottom of the page. Otherwise, you may want to try www.psychologytoday.com, which has a list of therapists who practice CBT and verifies the credentials of listed mental health professionals.

Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

Here are some signs that your depression might just be more than an "ordinary case of the blues..."

  • Trouble concentrating
  • Feelings or thoughts of worthlessness, always expecting the worst
  • Fatigue
  • Lack of pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyed
  • Sleeping all day or not at all
  • Major weight loss or weight gain
  • Decreased sexual interest or drive
  • Increased irritability

Warning signs that you should be seeking immediate treatment:

  • Thoughts of death and dying, or consideration of how it would be easier not go on

  • Isolation or withdrawing from people you used to care for

If one or more of these items describes you or a loved one, please do not wait any longer. Contact me right away so we can talk it over together, and come up with a plan of action. There are people who care, and life can get better if the depression is treated.