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Dr. Sarah Allen

Aren’t There Different Types of Depression?

by Dr. Sarah Allen
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Yes and my blog below explains about the different types! It is important to know what type of depression you have so therapy is geared to the correct treatment.

 

 

Dysthymic Disorder or Dysthymia

This is when symptoms are mild to moderate and they have been around for two or more years. These chronic symptoms that may not be severe enough to disable a person but it makes it very difficult to live life to the fullest or even remember better times. You may not enjoy being with other people or get excited for an upcoming event that people usually find enjoyable. If you suffer from dysthymia, you may feel like you’ve always been depressed. Or perhaps you think that your continuous low mood is “just the way you are.” People with dysthymia are also at risk for experiencing one or more episodes of major depression during their lifetimes. However, dysthymia can be treated, even if your symptoms have gone unrecognized or untreated for years.

Minor Depression

This is similar to the way people feel when they have dysthymia but for a shorter time. People can have some depression symptoms for 2 weeks or longer but not meet full criteria for major depression. Without treatment, people with minor depression are at high risk for developing major depressive disorder so it is important to reach out for help sooner rather than later.

Major depressive disorder

This can also be called major depression, and it is when the depression symptoms mentioned earlier are severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities. Major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. Some people may experience only a single episode within their lifetime, but more often a person may have multiple episodes.

Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances. They include:

Psychotic depression, which occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having  irrational and disturbing false beliefs or a break with reality (delusions), or perhaps hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations).

Postpartum depression, which is much more serious than the “baby blues” that many women experience after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth. See …..for more details of pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), happens when people only get depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression symptoms generally lift during spring and summer. SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of those with SAD do not get better with light therapy alone but psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone or in combination with light therapy and in some cases medication.

Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, is not as common as major depression or dysthymia. It is characterized by cycling mood changes—from extreme highs (e.g., mania) to extreme lows (e.g., depression). Mania which can include impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, rapid speech, and little to no sleep switches to depression, usually the symptoms of major depression. Typically, the switch from one mood extreme to the other is gradual, with each manic or depressive episode lasting for at least several weeks. However, although it can look similar to major depression, the treatments for bipolar depression are very different. In fact, antidepressants can make bipolar depression worse.

Any type of depression can make you feel helpless, hopeless, empty and numb. It might seem that you have been feeling this way forever and there’s no hope of feeling better but there’s a lot you can do to take back control and change how you feel. With help and support, you can overcome depression and get your life back.

The key to recovery is to start small and take things one day at a time. Feeling better takes time, but you can get there with the support of professionals who are trained to help.

SIMPLE STEPS TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION ebookI put together this booklet with strategies I am always giving to my clients firstly, because they help and secondly, so clients can have something handy to refer to between sessions.

I am a big believer in giving handouts about the strategies we talk about during sessions because I think it is hard to remember everything. I also give new clients a folder so they will be able to keep all this information in one place. A sort of emotional health toolbox to get out and read when you need it.

Not everyone is able to come and to see me though so I decided to make these strategies available to everyone and I hope you find this booklet helpful too. I think it is a great way to get started but it is hard to do this on your own so please contact me with any questions you may have after reading it.

Add your first name and email in the box below and you will be sent the steps to download your FREE book and begin your journey to feeling better.

You've just been sent an email that contains a confirmation link. Check your SPAM/JUNK folder if you don't see it within a couple of minutes. In order to activate to receive your free booklet, click on the CONFIRM link and you will be sent a second email with the booklet. It may also be in your SPAM folder.

Please call 847 791-7722 or email me on the form below if you have any questions.

Also, I have several blog posts on my blog about depression and other issues that can affect the way you feel.

    Dr. Allen's professional license only allows her to work with clients who live in IL & FL and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients.

    Five Ways To Soothe Frayed Emotions Without Food

    by Dr. Sarah Allen
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    Hands up anyone who has reached for chocolate when you are feeling upset. When I say chocolate I mean the whole family-sized bar not a Hersey kiss or perhaps crunchy, salty is your thing and we are talking about a huge bag of  chips. It could be anything unhealthy and it could be happening because you are stressed, angry, frustrated or let’s face it, any emotion at all really.

    Yes, me too!

    The occasional soothing of emotions by comfort eating is fine but when it becomes a regular thing or when you can’t stop eating until you feel so uncomfortably full (and may even vomit) then we need to talk about other, more healthy ways, of soothing yourself when the day has been really tough.

    Self-soothing is all about being comforted, nurtured and kind – by yourself. We are so much nicer to other people than we are to ourselves. It’s time you were nice to yourself. One way of doing this is to think of ways to soothe each of your five senses: Vision, Hearing, Smell, Taste and Touch.

    VISION: Walk in a pretty part of your neighborhood or take a short trip to the nearest beauty spot.  Look around at the nature all about you. If you are in a city go to the Art museum and look at beautiful painting. Sit in your garden or if you don’t have one, buy a flower and spend time looking at it and really seeing it’s beauty. If it’s evening time and too dark to see or if you don’t want to go out, light a candle and watch the flame dance or look at a book with gorgeous images.

    HEARING: Listening to music is a wonderful way to self-soothe. Some people prefer the a CD of natural sounds of the ocean or a waterfall. Whatever you are listening to, be mindful, letting the sounds come and go.

    SMELL: We all know that certain smells take us back to specific memories. Be aware of what smells bring you pleasure (without hunger or cravings) Notice all the different smells around you. Walk on grass just after it has rain, and breathe in the perfume a loved one wears or smell certain aromatherapy oils such as lavender which have a relaxing quality.  

    TASTE: Self-soothing without bingeing doesn’t mean you have to stay away from food entirely. When you eat emotionally you probably gulp down the food without really tasting it. Without knowing it, the whole packet of cookies has gone! Use your taste buds and really taste what you are eating. Take minute bites and really chew the food, rolling it around your mouth before swallowing. Eat it slowly, savoring each bite. Drink a soothing drink like herbal tea or hot chocolate. Let the taste run over your tongue and slowly down your throat.

    TOUCH: Take a bubble bath (maybe one with a soothing smell, there’s nothing wrong with combining more than one sense). Pet your dog or cat or cuddle a child. Put on an item of clothing that feels soft or smooth silky or perhaps you need the cuddly feel of your favorite over-sized cardigan. Wrap up in a furry blanket or sink into a bed with clean, crisp sheets. 

    Which of these ideas jump out at you as things you would find soothing? Prepare ahead and stock up and make yourself a treasure trove of comforting things for next time you feel the need to eat emotionally.

    Stressful day? It’s important to make time to stop and relax, not binge on junk food and then feel guilty and even worse about yourself.
    Stressful day? It’s important to make time to stop and relax, not binge on junk food and then feel guilty and even worse about yourself.

     

    To find out more about emotional eating and to download the free booklet Simple Steps To Overcome Emotional Eating (which includes questionnaires to find out what if you are an emotional eater and if yes, type of emotional eater you are) use the sign up form below the book.

    Simple Steps To Overcome Emotional Eating

    You've just been sent an email that contains a confirmation link. Check your SPAM/JUNK folder if you don't see it within a couple of minutes. In order to activate to receive your free booklet, click on the CONFIRM link and you will be sent a second email with the booklet. It may also be in your SPAM folder.

    For more info on emotional eating visit my Weight & Emotional Eating page and blog posts.

     

    Dr. Sarah Allen has 20+ years experience and is recognized by clients, peers and other professionals for her ability to quickly help people get “unstuck” and move forward in their lives.

    In her Northbrook office, in the North Suburbs of Chicago, or via telephone or online counseling she offers the most convenient way for you to access support and help.

    If you have questions after reading this article or have any questions about how counseling can be useful to your particular circumstances please contact me at 847 791-7722 or on the form below.

      Dr. Allen's professional license only allows her to work with clients who live in IL & FL and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients.

       

      What Is Emotional Eating? Is It A Type Of Eating Disorder?

      by Dr. Sarah Allen

      We have all heard the term emotional eating but what does it actually mean? Emotional eating is a term used when your intake of food is affected by your emotions in some way. It might be that you eat more food than you need to quell hunger or that there are certain foods that you […]

      Read the full article →

      What is The Difference Between Normal Worrying & Anxiety?

      by Dr. Sarah Allen

      Does this sound familiar? “I can’t get my thoughts to stop going round and around” “I wake up with a feeling of dread and I don’t know why” “My husband is late home from work, he was supposed to be here 30 minutes ago but hasn’t called as he usually does. Oh God, he must […]

      Read the full article →

      Have Some Fun!

      by Dr. Sarah Allen

      Many couples I see come in to my office with a long list of what is wrong with their relationship, how they can’t communicate anymore and mostly, seeking an opinion about who was right in the last argument. When I delve deeper into arguments it usually comes down to how hard everyone is striving: at […]

      Read the full article →

      Why are some children affected by parental conflict while others are not?

      by Dr. Sarah Allen

      New research out today found that it is the way children try to understand the arguments their parents have that can lead to emotional and behavioral problems. When children blamed themselves for the conflict between their parents, they were more likely to act out in a behavioral way i.e. anti-social behavior, being aggressive etc. But […]

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      Research Shows Anorexia, Bulimia & Body Image Linked to Disturbance in Brain Region

      by Dr. Sarah Allen

      Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa – disorders characterized by extreme eating behavior and distorted body image and a landmark study at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, suggests that the altered function in the brains of some people contributes to restricted eating in anorexia, overeating in bulimia as well as distorts self-image. […]

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      The Upside of Hot Flashes

      by Dr. Sarah Allen

      Don’t believe anything good can come from hot flashes? In 2011 a Northwestern Study found that women who have them are actually at a lower risk for heart disease and stroke.  That might be the only upside though! So, what is perimenopause? Anywhere between 2 – 10 years before menopause our ovaries begin to produce […]

      Read the full article →

      Northbrook IL Postpartum Depression Therapy – Dr. Sarah Allen

      by Dr. Sarah Allen

      Effective counseling for postpartum mood disorders is available in Northbrook, Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

      Read the full article →

      Wholefoods in Northbrook Supports the PPD Alliance of IL

      by Dr. Sarah Allen

      A huge thank you to Northbrook Wholefoods for making The Postpartum Depression Alliance of IL (www.ppdil.org) the recipient of their One Dime at a Time program between April 1st and June 30th. For every bag you bring in with you to reuse they give us 10c. That really helps our mission to bring support and […]

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