Mental Health Information
Click to view information on:Depression
Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Depression
When does feeling sad, down in the dumps or just plain unhappy become so uncomfortable or unhealthy that you need to seek help?
Everyone can feel blue at times, but the “blueness” turns into depression when the mood lasts for more than two weeks, affecting one’s work, relationships and daily life. Yet depression can be seen as an opportunity: the pain of depression can be a great motivator to make important and much needed changes in our lives.
The term depression is used to describe a persistent sad mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. Symptoms of depression include changes in appetite or weight, changes in sleep habits, restlessness or decreased activity that is noticeable to others, loss of energy or feeling tired most of the time, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
It is not clear why some people get depressed and others don’t. A stressful event can trigger a depressive episode. After three months of unemployment, Karen, a 32-year-old single mother, decided to see a therapist because she was having difficulty motivating herself in her job search, found herself being short-tempered with her daughter and losing interest in her friends.
The seeds of depression can come from childhood experiences such as neglect, abuse, poverty, a parent’s substance abuse or mental illness. Sheila, age 42, felt lonely and tired much of the time. She had a history of short-term intimate relationships. In therapy she came to realize that her tendency to engage in unhealthy relationships originated in early experiences of abuse. Through the process of therapy, Sheila learned how to make more satisfying relationship choices and experienced the richness of healthy intimacy.
Genetics can play a role in the appearance of depression. There is a greater chance of experiencing depression if a relative has suffered from a mood disorder. From the outside, Donna’s life seemed fine; she had a loving husband and a meaningful job. But Donna suffered from periods of depression. As she explored with her psychotherapist she discovered that not only her mother, but also a grandmother and a grandfather all experienced similar symptoms.
Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for depression. Psychotherapy can help a person to learn the ‘facts’ about depression. Talking to a therapist can allow a person to feel less alone. With the help of a therapist a person can explore new ways of coping with his or her thoughts, emotions and problems. Coping methods often include making changes in one’s attitude or perspective as well as actions or behaviors. The results of these changes can be seen in more healthy and satisfying relationships with oneself and others.
Psychotherapists see people individually (“one-on-one”), as couples, families or in groups. Treatment for depression often includes biological interventions such as antidepressant medications, herbs, acupuncture and nutrition. It is important to see a physician to make sure the depressive symptoms are not caused by a medical condition.
If you think you or someone you care about may be depressed, it is important to talk to a professional. Women’s Clinic offers individual, couple, family and group psychotherapy. During our regular (and somewhat kooky!) business hours, we have therapists who are available to talk to you about your situation and explore your treatment options. Our fees are sliding scale and we offer day, evening and weekend appointments. To contact a therapist directly, please call (310) 203-8899, ext. 103.
Anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a common chronic disorder that affects twice as many women as men and can keep those who have it from participating fully in their lives. It is characterized by a persistent sense of anxiety and worry that feels difficult or impossible to control. Someone living with this level of anxiety may experience some of the following symptoms:
- restlessness, feeling “keyed up” or on edge
- being fatigued quite easily
- difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- irritability
- muscle tension
- difficulty falling or staying asleep; or restless, unsatisfying sleep
These physical complaints, combined with the intense, long-term anxiety (lasting at least six months), make it difficult to cope with normal daily activities.
There are five steps you can take now to manage your anxiety:
- Eat right: The body requires a variety of nutrients each day to support healthy physical and mental functioning.
- Exercise: This helps maintain physical and mental health, as well as stimulate the production of endorphins, which contribute to a sense of mental well-being.
- Get plenty of sleep: This allows the body to restore and rejuvenate itself, which has beneficial effects for brain functioning and thus emotional well-being.
- Spend time with friends and family: This can reduce feelings of isolation and gives one the opportunity to hear fresh outlooks and perhaps shift one’s painful perspective.
- Seek support: If symptoms start to feel overwhelming, especially if feelings of anxiety persist for six months or more, the therapists at Women’s Clinic & Family Counseling Center can provide collective reassurance, understanding, and help you discover and implement new coping techniques.
It is normal to experience different levels of anxiety and stress. However, when anxiety becomes debilitating, it can diminish one’s quality of life, and even make it impossible for some to participate everyday activities. This is when therapy can become essential. For a free initial consultation with one of our therapists, please call 310-203-8899, extension 103.
Panic Attacks
Racing heartbeat? Dizziness? Terror that is almost paralyzing? Symptoms such as these, as well as trembling, sweating, and chest pain indicate that you may be having a panic attack. Anxiety disorders, including panic attacks, are far more prevalent than mood (depression) or substance (abuse & addiction) disorders.
A panic attack is a sudden onset of terror that comes without warning or any obvious reason, sometimes during seemingly harmless or everyday situations. While they usually pass in minutes, some may last for an hour or more. Panic attacks are far more intense than the feeling of being “stressed out”, and they can make a person feel as if they are losing control or “going crazy”.
A panic response occurs when we are unable to distinguish between situations of true and immediate danger versus stressful events, which would otherwise be manageable. The physical sensations of fear and panic are the same, but in the case of panic attacks the sufferer is generally unable to identify the “trigger”, or cause. The exact causes of panic attacks are unclear, but they can be triggered by stressful life events such as losing employment or relationship breakup.
Panic attacks are not lethal, but if left untreated can seriously affect your quality of life. Untreated, this can lead to depression. Some people may turn to drugs or alcohol to manage their discomfort. For others, phobias may develop around situations associated with previous attacks.
Fortunately, there is hope. Panic attacks are highly treatable with a variety of therapies, including psychotherapy, relaxation techniques, and in some cases, medication. As with many other challenges, discovering that you are experiencing panic disorder can present a valuable opportunity to explore areas of your life that may have been avoided or neglected until now.
Women’s Clinic and Family Counseling Center has therapists on staff who can help those living with panic attacks gain insight and find ways to manage their anxiety. For more information, or to speak with a therapist, please call (310) 203-8899, ext. 103.