BY NANCY STOOPS
Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Do you seem to be always sleeping or not able to sleep at all? Are you eating everything in sight or suffer from no appetite at all. Have you lost pleasure in doing the things that once made you so happy? Are you unable to focus and concentrate? If you are able to answer yes to the questions above, you may be suffering from some type of depression.
Depression comes in many forms. Dysthymic Disorder is a very mild form of depression. People suffering from this are very functional but just don’t feel happy. People suffering from severe depression aren’t very functional and need to be treated. Severe depression can lead to suicide and must be taken seriously.
Bipolar Disorder involves a cycle of very manic moods and then a fall into a very severe depression. Many times the mania is accompanied by severe spending or some other risk taking behavior. People suffering from Bipolar Disorder need to be on medication. There are subtypes within these main categories that I won’t expand upon.
Depression comes from a lack of serotonins, a chemical produced in the brain. Many people choose to take a pill that will put the serotonins you are lacking back into your body. Exercise is also a great way to increase your body’s serotonins and to do it in a natural way. Many of my clients are asked to keep a daily feelings journal as a way to help combat their depression as well.
Don’t let your depression or the depression of a loved one become a way of life. Everybody should be able to feel joy, and depression stops us from doing that. Take the time to journal, exercise and possibly get some professional help so you can feel the joy in your life.
This article was written by Nancy Stoops, M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens. For more information about any of these services feel free to page her at (626) 935-3818. You may also email her at stoopsshecter@earthlink.net. Nancy’s book, “Live, Heal and Grow” is available for purchase at http://www.RoseDogBookstore.com or Amazon.com
