What is Depression?
Depression is experienced as either loss of interest in pleasurable activities and/or persistent sadness for at least two weeks. It commonly occurs with anxiety disorders. In fact, nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Symptoms of major depression include fatigue, concentration difficulties, feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of death or dying, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns. However, individuals with major depression can endorse numerous additional symptoms including anxiety, physical pain, and extreme social sensitivity.
Avoidance/Safety/Unhealthy Coping Behavior
Depressed individuals can:
Major Depression in Children
Children suffering from depression may display irritability/aggression, social withdrawal, low self-esteem, poor school performance, and not making expected weight gains.
How We Can Help
Our therapists will use cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to help the individual learn distress tolerance skills and effective self-talk. For children with depressive symptoms, our therapists will guide parents to effectively implement an incentive plan and decrease accommodating behaviors in order to motivate their child to use their coping skills. Most importantly, behavioral activation, problem solving skills, and other interventions are used to help the individual gradually practice confronting day-to-day situations that feel overwhelming without unhelpful avoidance as described above. Behavioral activation and other interventions serve to help the individual change his/her negative beliefs about him/herself (e.g., "I'm worthless"), the world (e.g., "No one likes me"), and the future (e.g., "Things can only get worse!"). Furthermore, our therapists encourage the practice of mindfulness and acceptance strategies, allowing individuals to learn to label their emotions without judging them. The goal is to pursue meaningful activities despite feeling overwhelmed to regain motivation, thus promoting better overall functioning.
Depression is experienced as either loss of interest in pleasurable activities and/or persistent sadness for at least two weeks. It commonly occurs with anxiety disorders. In fact, nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Symptoms of major depression include fatigue, concentration difficulties, feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of death or dying, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns. However, individuals with major depression can endorse numerous additional symptoms including anxiety, physical pain, and extreme social sensitivity.
Avoidance/Safety/Unhealthy Coping Behavior
Depressed individuals can:
- Withdraw from other people (e.g., not answer phone calls, avoid friends)
- Avoid tasks (e.g., not taking on challenging tasks, sitting around the house, spending excessive time in bed)
- Avoid thinking about things (e.g., not thinking about relationship problems, not making decisions about the future, not taking opportunities, not being serious about work or school, ruminating or trying to explain the past, or trying to solve unsolvable problems)
- Avoid by distraction (e.g., watching rubbish on television, playing computer games, gambling, comfort eating, excessive exercising)
- Avoid emotions (e.g., use of alcohol and other substances).
Major Depression in Children
Children suffering from depression may display irritability/aggression, social withdrawal, low self-esteem, poor school performance, and not making expected weight gains.
How We Can Help
Our therapists will use cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to help the individual learn distress tolerance skills and effective self-talk. For children with depressive symptoms, our therapists will guide parents to effectively implement an incentive plan and decrease accommodating behaviors in order to motivate their child to use their coping skills. Most importantly, behavioral activation, problem solving skills, and other interventions are used to help the individual gradually practice confronting day-to-day situations that feel overwhelming without unhelpful avoidance as described above. Behavioral activation and other interventions serve to help the individual change his/her negative beliefs about him/herself (e.g., "I'm worthless"), the world (e.g., "No one likes me"), and the future (e.g., "Things can only get worse!"). Furthermore, our therapists encourage the practice of mindfulness and acceptance strategies, allowing individuals to learn to label their emotions without judging them. The goal is to pursue meaningful activities despite feeling overwhelmed to regain motivation, thus promoting better overall functioning.
P H O N E 219.228.7630
F A X 219.228.1083
E M A I L info@anxietybehavioralhealth.com
A D D R E S S 900 Ridge Road, Suite F, Munster, Indiana 46321
F A X 219.228.1083
E M A I L info@anxietybehavioralhealth.com
A D D R E S S 900 Ridge Road, Suite F, Munster, Indiana 46321