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TREATMENT DEPRESSION DEPRESSION Depression is often described as the “common cold” of mental health. The diagnosis is made clinically, which means it is identified by a list of symptoms, rather than a lab test or an xray. Depressed individuals often experience both physical and emotional symptoms. Physical symptoms may include: appetite disturbance fatigue unexplained aches and pains trouble concentrating lack of motivation feelings of isolation feelings of sadness loss of interest in things once considered pleasurable constant worry feelings of hopelessness and helplessness thoughts of suicide Multiple Causes It was once thought that depression was triggered by exaggerated reactions to situational stressors. More recently, depression has been described as a chemical imbalance in the brain. In truth, neither explanation tells the whole story. Depression is better understood as a mind/body disorder with multiple causal factors. Trauma or loss can cause depression, but so can a physical disorder which depletes energy, impairs creativity, dulls sensitivity to pleasure or impedes pain tolerance. Like other, heavily researched diseases such a cancer and heart disease, there are a multitude of interacting causes and risk factors. Treatment The good news is that depression is very treatable. often intervening in one or two areas can result in significant symptom relief. Many physical conditions manifest with depressive symptoms including: Alzheimers low thyroid post viral conditions Cancer After a comprehensive physical exam to rule out a physical disorder, health and well being can be established by addressing lifestyle choices such as eating, sleeping, exercising, reading, connecting and meditating.