Depression and Anxiety - The Ghosts in the Attic

Depression is one of the two most frequent reasons for individuals to seek out a psychotherapist. Everyone feels sad or "blue" now and then. But if you feel that way continuously for two weeks or more, you may have a more serious problem...you may be suffering from a clinical depression. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does each day feel like a struggle or heavy burden?
• Do you have an overwhelming feeling of emptiness, sadness, or loss of interest in everyday activities?
• Are you crying too often, too much, or at inappropriate times?
• Do you have a hard time focusing, concentrating, or making decisions?
• Do you feel guilty, helpless, hopeless, or worthless?
• Are you experiencing chronic irritability, having trouble sleeping,
• Do you have thoughts of death or suicide?

If you answered yes to any of these, it would be best for you to be evaluated by a doctor or psychologist-- you probably are experiencing depression.

There is no one cause of depression. It could be brought on by a single event: a death in the family, a serious illness, a set-back at work or school, a prolonged period of intense pressure and stress. genetics, too, can play a role. Depression is readily treatable with psychotherapy and, in some cases, medication.  At The Psychotherapy Center, we use insight-oriented psychotherapy to help you understand the causes and root of your depression, rebuild your sense of self-worth and confidence, increase feelings of purpose, meaning and connection, and decrease feelings of guilt and worry.

Like depression, Anxiety is a part of life, but becomes a reason to seek help when you are experiencing it all the time ( an Anxiety Disorder)  or episodically, with such intensity (Panic Attacks) that you cannot function in your everyday life. If you are experiencing any of the following, you may have an anxiety disorder:

• racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating
• constantly feeling tense, or "wound up", or fearful for no apparent reason
• having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because your thoughts won't "turn off"
• performance at work is suffering because of feeling so anxious

One of the most important techniques that you can learn at The Psychotherapy Center is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Meditation. Susan Pearson, PhM, has effectively used this and other techniques such as guided imagery and progressive relaxation to help you learn to reduce the level of your experienced anxiety. In addition to symptom relief, you will also learn about the underlying beliefs and assumptions that can make anxiety such a devastating condition to live with.

Anxiety and Depression can be treated successfully, and you can find the relief you are looking for at The Psychotherapy Center. Susan Pearson, PhM, has years of experience successfully working with patients suffering from these debilitating affective disorders.