Are you struggling with feelings of unworthiness, hopelessness or anhedonia (lack of pleasure towards previously-enjoyed activities)? You are not alone, and your struggle does not define you. At Resting Tree, we hope to provide you with a safe holding space for these difficult feelings as we rediscover and clarify what life and living means to you. 

What is depression?

Depression is a common mental health condition that involves a prolonged period of sadness and loss of interest towards life. It is not something we can just “snap out of.”  It makes you feel like you are just “existing” instead of “living.” It removes the colour from the world and makes you see things in black and white. Depending on its severity, it can influence our daily functioning: how we think, feel and behave. 

Difference between Sadness and Depression

Sadness:

• Natural reaction to negative events that cause emotional upset or pain

• Usually passes with time

• Can be relieved through talking with loved ones, crying, venting, or having time to calm down.

• Is often  linked with a specific trigger, ex: failing an exam, not getting a job, conflict with a loved one etc…

Depression:

• Frequent and prolonged feelings of sadness and low mood 

• Feelings of hopelessness, doubt, discouragement, and lack of motivation and low energy that last more than 2 weeks, occurring most days or  everyday

• May impair different aspects of one's life: work, education, relationships, health, etc

• Recurrent thoughts of self-harm and / or suicide

Common Types of depression:

Major Depressive Disorder

If you suffer from five or more of these symptoms for a period of two weeks or longer, you may be suffering from Major Depressive Disorder. There can be recurring episodes or it can just happen once in your lifetime. 

 The acronym “SAD CAGES” is used to describe these symptoms:

• S – Sleep disturbances

• A – Appetite change

• D – Depressed mood of feelings of sadness over a sustained period of time

• C – Concentration problems

• A – Anhedonia: Loss of interest in day to day activities

• G – Guilt or shame

• E – low Energy and Enthusiasm

• S – Suicidal thoughts due to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness

High Functioning Depression

Depression may be well-hidden especially by high-functioning individuals. Appearance may not always reflect reality. People may see that you are all jokes and smiles, but deep down inside you may be struggling to accept and express painful emotions. When others see you being caring or high-performing, you might actually be feeling like a fraud or undeserving. Or perhaps you are constantly busying yourself because you are distracting yourself from suffering. Your outer world may be a contrast to your inner world, and only you know it.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymic disorder)

Persistent Depressive Disorder is a type of depression where you struggle with chronic low mood. You may appear fine and functioning on the surface but deep down inside, there may be an undercurrent of feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, hopelessness and lack of motivation that has  lasted for years. 

Depression and Anxiety

It is not uncommon for people to suffer from both anxiety and depression at the same time. Anxiety may occur as a symptom of major depression and an anxiety disorder can also trigger an episode of major depression. For both conditions, symptoms such as irritability, poor concentration and sleep disturbance overlap. 

Depression and PTSD

After stressful or traumatic event(s), people may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mood symptoms from PTSD such as feelings of hopelessness, anger, anxiety, guilt and sadness can also lead to major depression. 

Depression and Chronic Pain

Studies have suggested that the more pain a person is experiencing, the more likely they are to suffer from depression. This is especially so when the doctor is unable to find a source or appropriate treatment for the pain. Depression can also decrease a patient’s pain tolerance and increase their suffering from the pain.

Postpartum Depression

Pregnancy and giving birth to a new life can bring about overwhelming emotions from joy to excitement to fear and anxiety. It can also trigger depression. For new mothers it is common to experience a wave of emotional experiences such as mood fluctuations, poor sleep, stress and anxiety that may last up to two weeks. However, if symptoms persist and become more intense, it may be  Postpartum Depression. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Research has shown that changes in the amount of daylight can disrupt our sleep-wake cycles and brain functions. Symptoms of depression appear and disappear around the same time every year. For most of us living in Vancouver, this type of depression usually occurs around Winter or Fall, where the skies become grey and rainy.

Contributing Factors to Depression

Depression and anxiety disorders appear to be affected  by a combination of biological, psychological, social factors. These can include:

• Stressful / Traumatic life events 

• Family history of mental health conditions

• Childhood developmental issues

• Attachment styles

• Personality traits 

• Alcohol or substance abuse

• Medical problems 

How Therapy Works

Medication in combination with therapy is the most effective way of treating depression. Social support, practicing healthy lifestyle habits and self-care all play a part in contributing to your healing.

Initial Session

On our first meeting, it is important to establish understanding of your personal history, presenting issues and symptoms. We also invite you to think about some concrete objectives and goals for therapy. A treatment plan would then be developed and discussed.

Follow-up Sessions

There is no hard and fast rule as to how often we should meet. Depending on your needs and severity, it may be  more beneficial to meet on a more regular basis for the first 3-6 months, after  which sessions can be held less frequently when you experience increased confidence with managing your mood and motivation. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy are common techniques used for Depression. Again, depending on your personal history, issues related to trauma might need to be processed, as such, a trauma-informed intervention such as EMDR may be used to help you heal from past wounds from those stressful experiences.

Do take time to consider how therapy may be able to help you with your depression. When you are ready to take that first step, we are here for you. Contact us at info@restingtree.ca or book your free consultation today.