Are you suffering from depression or know someone who is suffering from depression? Mood disorders are quite prevalent. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if we’re depressed or just really tired. Symptoms of depression may include
- Irritability
- Appetite changes
- Insomnia
- Tiredness
- Sense of guilt or worthlessness nearly all the time
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thoughts of death or suicide
There is also a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This usually comes on in the fall or winter and improves in the spring or summer. It is normal to feel down during our long Canadian winters and does not necessarily mean you have SAD but getting your vitamin D levels tested is always a good idea to make sure you are not deficient.
The cause of depression is not really known. The pharmaceutical industry has put a lot of money in researching the neurotransmitters in our brain such as serotonin and they have created drugs called SSRI or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (Prozac, Paxil) which increase the half life of serotonin in the brain. However, it is becoming more and more difficult to say with 100% certainty that low serotonin is in fact the only cause of depression. New research is challenging the assumption that the word’s most common mental ailment is just a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Stress can be a huge trigger for depression. It can damage our brain cells and alter nerve circuits that control emotions. The good news is that our brain is “plastic” meaning that it can regenerate.
My approach to depression is multifold. I don’t just look at the neck up. Mood disorders involve the whole body. I make sure there aren’t any deficiencies such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron etc. I look at how different organs are functioning such as the thyroid, the adrenals and the liver. All of these imbalances or dysfunctions can contribute to mood changes. Furthermore, counselling and neuroemotional technique are also tools that I use to help find the root cause of depression. Unfortunately, depression can rarely be cured with one pill. If you are courageous to embark on the journey of self healing and to find out what may be causing your depression, then book an appointment with me. I would be honoured to be part of your health path.