There are so many causes of depression, which is why it is important to work with a licensed professional when seeking treatment. In many cases, depression can stem from a disconnection of values, relationships, or other aspects of life. In other cases, it may be due to the lack of certain neurotransmitters within the brain that are responsible for feelings of joy, motivation, and affection.

Symptoms
Anyone can feel sad or even depressed at times. However, depression is a more intense feeling compared to the normal feelings of sadness. Depression is a mental illness that has a wide range of symptoms which can make it difficult to manage and maintain a good quality of life. They can impact a person’s ability to function, maintain relationships, keep commitments, or complete tasks.

Symptoms vary from person to person and appear during the night and day. Common symptoms or signs of depression include:

• A feeling of ongoing sadness, anxiety, or “emptiness”
• Aches or body pain such as migraines, cramps, or digestive problems
• Changes in appetite
• Decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling inadequate
• Inability to make decisions
• Loss of interest
• Low self-esteem
• Thoughts of suicide or death
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

Treatment
Often depression cannot be managed or treated alone. If you or a loved one has begun to show signs or symptoms of depression, seek help.

Fortunately, depression can be treated, and you can find relief from symptoms and improve your quality of life.

At ECA Psychology, LLC, I offer individual and group therapies, behavioral therapy, medication, consultation services, and will work with you to customize a treatment plan that fits your needs and lifestyle. Treatment can vary from therapy, lifestyle changes, stress management, prescription medication such as antidepressants, acupuncture, and other forms of therapies such as electrotherapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation. One unique treatment option for depression I offer is ketamine infusion therapy.

What is anxiety?
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by strong feelings of tension, worry, physical changes such as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People with anxiety disorders have constant intrusive thoughts or concerns.

Anxiety disorders come in a variety of forms from general anxiety to more specific conditions such as social anxiety or panic disorders. Anxiety develops from several compounding factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events. Many patients who are diagnosed with anxiety may also have co-occurring illnesses such as substance abuse, depression, or other mental health conditions.

Symptoms
Common symptoms of anxiety include:

• Nervousness, restlessness, and feeling like you cannot relax
• Feelings of danger, panic, and dread
• Rapid heart rate and breathing or hyperventilation
• Increased or heavy sweating
• Muscle twitching or trembling
• Weakness or lethargy
• Difficulty focusing
• Insomnia
• Digestive problems
• Avoidant behavior
• Obsessions about certain ideas

Treatment
At ECA Psychology, LLC, I tailor each treatment plan to the individual needs of the patient. I will carefully go over any symptoms you are experiencing, your medical history, and any other relevant factors such as life events and behaviors.

Common treatments for anxiety include individual or group therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and other various therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or electroconvulsive therapy.

Though commonly associated with the passing of a loved one, there can be other causes of grief such as:

• Being diagnosed with serious illness
• Divorce
• Loss of a relationship or friendship
• Loss of financial stability
• Loss of health

Even more subtle losses in life can trigger a sense of grief such as moving away from home, retirement, graduating from college, or changing jobs.

The stages of grief

It is common to hear about the stages of grief after a loss; however, it is important to note that there is no “right” way to grieve as grief is a personal process unique to the individual circumstances. Some people may go through the stages as described, others may move back and forth between the stages, while others may not go through any of the stages.

The stages of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

While loss affects people differently, many experience similar symptoms while grieving including:

• Anger
• Disbelief
• Fatigue
• Fear
• Fluctuations in weight
• Guilt
• Insomnia
• Isolation
• Muscle aches and pain
• Nausea
• Sadness
• Shock

An individual process 

Though grief can be described in stages, how a person grieves depends on many factors including your personality, coping skills, your life experience, your faith, and how significant the loss was to you. The process of bereavement takes time since healing happens gradually, there is no specific time for some it may take months or even years depending on the person.

Acceptance does not mean you have forgotten about your loss, but that you are learning to adjust daily with the deceased.

Remember to take care of yourself 

While grieving a loss is an inevitable part of life, there are ways to help cope with the pain and come to terms with your grief.

• Accept that your grief can be triggered by a variety of experiences and emotions
• Acknowledge your loss and pain
• Seek out face-to-face support to avoid isolation
• Try to maintain your hobbies and interests
• Understand that your grieving process is unique to you

It is important to take care of yourself while you grieve as the stress of loss can deplete the physical and emotional needs that can help you through this time.

When to seek help

As time passes, it is normal for feelings of sadness, anger, or numbness to gradually ease, allowing you to accept the loss and move forward positively. Though there is no set length for grieving, if you find yourself experiencing any symptoms of grief that may be overwhelming or if you need help processing a loss, seeking treatment can help. Group therapy or one-on-one sessions can help you to overcome some difficult feelings of grief that may prevent you from moving on.

Please seek professional help if you find that you feel that:

• Blame yourself for the loss
• Feel disconnected and numb from others that last longer than a few weeks
• Have difficulty trusting or interacting with others after a loss
• Life is not worth living
• Unable to perform normal activities

For more information on grief and our services or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office at .