Depression is a serious medical issue. It’s more than just feeling “down in the dumps” or “blue” for a few days. It’s feeling down, sapped of energy, and hopeless for weeks at a time.
What are the signs of Depression?
You only need a few of these to feel miserable
A variety of treatments, including medications and short-term psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, have proven effective for depression symptoms.
Our first choice of treatment is always talk therapy, especially when the depression is caused by a situation. We only recommend medication when absolutely necessary, which means when a person is no longer sleeping, or cannot eat or function at home or work. We also embrace using natural treatments of supplements, exercise, Neurofeedback therapy, positive thinking, and emotional, physical, and spiritual balance. For natural treatments using supplements, we work with an experienced individual who has her Masters in Chinese medicinal herbs and supplements.
We would count it a privilege to meet with you (one-on-one or with a loved one), and help you take the next step toward ending the pain and suffering of depression. Whether your depression is caused by genetics or difficult circumstances, we can help you find the freedom you need to live a fulfilling life.
Depression Screening: download here
Thoughts of Suicide or know someone who is considering it?
Thoughts of suicide are taken seriously. If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide call the crisis line at 1-800-892-8900, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Light therapy for seasonal depression (or “Seasonal Affective Disorder”) has been around ever since SAD was recognized and defined in 1984. Light therapy is also used to treat sleep issues. For more information on research and clinical studies for the use of light therapy to treat seasonal depression, read this brief introductory article, here.
The “natural” way to use light therapy is to make the most of natural light, even on gray and gloomy days. The closer to waking time that you can get a dose of light, the better. Try sitting on the front porch facing the direction of the sun with your morning cup of coffee. Make sure that synthetic light is dimmed in the evening, as excessive synthetic light after daytime hours can actually have a negative effect on seasonal depression. These guidelines apply to the use of synthetic light therapies as well.
If you live in an area that doesn’t get enough light and suffer from seasonal depression, you may consider getting a light box for treatment. Light boxes vary significantly in quality. If you are researching purchasing a light box for at-home use, consider the following important criteria:
How and when you use the light box is important. The closer to waking time, the better, and getting a dose of light as close to waking may be even more important (in terms of benefit) than the brand. Don’t use it later in the day, as that can contribute to sleep difficulties.
A couple recommendations:
To further research seasonal depression, read Dr. Nathanial Rosenthal’s Winter Blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder, available on Amazon here.