AM I DEPRESSED?

Depression can be chronic and reoccur without any known external cause or it can be a reaction to a life event that is emotionally overwhelming. Our reaction to these emotions can cause us to become emotionally stuck or numb to our feelings altogether. When numbness occurs it is often connected to repressed emotions of sadness, hurt, grief or anger that we are not consciously aware of. Depression can be a way of shutting down or avoiding unwanted emotions in fear that we cannot cope with them.

We can experience depression as a reaction to many hardships. Trouble in our relationships with partners or loved ones can lead to depression when we lose the sense of closeness we once had. We may become stuck in re-occurring behaviors, problems, or conflicts that cause us to feel hopeless. A significant loss such as the death of a loved one, separation/divorce, or a transition from one stage of life to another can cause us to feel lost and out of control leading to depression. Many of us have memories from childhood or past relationships that affect our ability to enjoy life in the present. Whatever the cause of depression, there is hope and through therapy, we can find freedom from depression and start living again.