Therapy Counselling in Halifax
Therapy for Depression
Symptoms of depression can range. Our Halifax clinic has experienced staff trained in psychological therapy to help.
What are some of the symptoms one might experience when depressed?
Depression is often thought of as a depressed mood and a diminished interest or joy in most activities, but it can be much more than that. Depression can be the root of significant changes in appetite, which may cause weight loss or gain. It can be the cause of sleep problems; you may be agitated or can’t get your mind of something which leaves you unsettled. Even with sleep, you may find yourself fatigued, or experiencing a loss of energy. Without energy you may not be able to accomplish as much which leaves you with feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
One of the most threatening symptoms of depression is recurring thoughts of death and/ or suicide. We’ll stop right here to request that if you are currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, you seek immediate help. You can call 911 or the Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-888-429-8167. Suicide is a permanent solution to what we believe is a temporary problem, a problem which may seem large and grave, but one we believe can be solved with time and the proper support.
What makes it clinical depression?
There are many forms of depression. Some forms of clinical depression are as follows:
- Major depression (clinical depression) has overwhelming symptoms that last more than two weeks. These symptoms end up interfering with everyday life.
- Bipolar depression is when people have alternating periods of low moods and extremely high-energy (manic) periods. During the low period, they may have some of the depression symptoms we listed above.
- Perinatal and postpartum depression is depression that can occur during pregnancy and up to one year after having a baby. Symptoms go beyond the minor sadness, worry or stress which can be normal for a short period of time. When these symptoms are more severe, or they last longer than two weeks, it is likely perinatal or postpartum depression.
- Persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia, has symptoms that are less severe than major depression, but which last for two years or longer.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe form of premenstrual disorder. With PMDD, you might have PMS symptoms along with extreme irritability, anxiety or depression. These symptoms improve within a few days after your period starts, but they can be severe enough to interfere with your life.
- Psychotic depression causes people to have severe depressive symptoms including delusions or hallucinations. Having a delusion is to believe in things that are not based in reality, while hallucinating involves seeing, hearing, or feeling touched by things that aren’t actually there.
- Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression triggered by the change of seasons, particularly fall. This depression increases in the late fall or early winter before ending in the sunnier days of spring.
How does untreated depression affect my life?
Whether you are feeling just a little bit depressed, or have one of these forms or another form of clinical depression, you deserve to feel better. Therapy for depression is not just for those severely effected by a clinical form.
Depression can result in many unwanted effects to one’s life. Perhaps it hurts your social relationships as you don’t have the energy to meet up with friends. It can go so far as effecting your job as you can no longer concentrate on the tasks at hand, or even worse, you lash out at your boss or a co-worker. Even personally, it can affect your physical wellbeing, causing headaches or stomach aches.
What can I do about depression?
Therapy for depression can help you prevent the above-mentioned effects, or repair the harm created by your symptoms. Everyone deserves the time and attention needed to help improve their life.
No matter how small one may feel their problems are in comparison to others, our therapists will not dismiss them, but will appreciate your desire to better yourself and will be there to help you on that journey. Your feelings in contrast may feel enormous to the point of hopelessness. We don’t believe that’s the case and are here to help with these obstacles. That hopeless feeling is a symptom of depression, and one that can therefor be overcome.
What causes depression?
That’s a very good question, and not one than can be answered with a blanket statement unfortunately. The label of “depression” describes a group of symptoms, but does not describe what caused them. Depression can be caused by brain chemistry, genetics, medical conditions, medication, personality and life events.
Our therapy sessions for depression will help you explore the root causes of your depression. If your depression was caused by a life event, we will help you identify the stressors and pains that started the cycle. Stress, loss of a loved one, upsetting events (trauma), isolation or lack of support could have been the cause. We can help you identify the event and work to repair the harm. Perhaps you simply have trouble coping, this can make one prone to depression as well. With depression therapy, you will learn the skills needed to cope, which can prevent or help you overcome depression.
How do I get help for depression?
Since there may be many causes, we do not expect the same approach or timeline to work for everyone. We feel working collaboratively is the best way to meet your needs. If you have been in therapy before and know what does and doesn’t work, let us know. We are here to help you find meaningful change in your life.
The information contained in this page is not to be substituted for a mental health assessment, it is here to help explain a bit about depression and how we can help. If you would like counselling, please reach out to us to book a session.
Depression Therapist Halifax, Nova Scotia
When life gets you down, you want a therapist who listens, pays attention to what’s important to you and has the experience to help you work through this tough time. With our secure online therapy platform, we help our clients to make their lives better.
For more information on our areas of practice, please click these links:
For an additional read, here is an article from Harvard Health Publishing on the benefits of light therapy for depression:
Tod Augusta Scott has worked with individuals and families since 1994 and has provided therapy for thousands of adults, children and families.
Tod’s goal in establishing this practice is to provide effective, individualized and timely counselling. The Associate therapists have been chosen by Tod from the many therapists he has worked with through the years. The Associates are chosen because they are experienced, highly trained professionals with specialized areas of practice. All Associates have over 15 years of professional experience.
