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It’s Time To Understand Depression

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People commonly say, “I don’t know, I’m just a little depressed today.” We all have days when things seem off and we’re feeling a little blue. But, in most cases, the sun shines the following day, what was bothering us has disappeared and we’re feeling fine again. However, in some cases, those feelings of sadness don’t just go away. It’s important to be able to recognize what true depression is and to get it treated.

Why does it matter? For starters, untreated depression greatly increases an individual’s risk of suicide, and suicide is this nation’s 10th leading cause of death and the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24. Almost half a million people visited U.S. hospitals last year due to self-inflicted harm.

It’s Time To Understand Depression

So while it’s obvious that serious depression can be a health problem not to be ignored, far too few people recognize depression in themselves, or someone close to them, and seek treatment. That’s unfortunate because most serious depression is highly treatable and, unlike a cold or the flu, is not simply going to away on its own.

What is depression?

Actually, it can come in several forms, some more serious than others. Around this time of the year, for example, many people will experience “seasonal depression,” those sad or blue feelings that accompany the coming of autumn, shorter days and cooler weather. It’s usually a mild form of depression and one that’s relatively easy to treat.
“Postpartum depression” is a common problem for many women after giving birth. They tend to experience stress, sadness, loneliness and exhaustion, especially during the first couple of weeks after the new baby’s arrival. Again, it’s a form of depression that can be treated.
“Clinical depression” can be a very serious problem. It’s not only feeling sad, but is usually characterized by a lack of energy to do even routine tasks. It can make ordinary life difficult or impossible to live successfully.

Seek help if you, or someone close to you, and especially if that someone is a young person, is experiencing feelings of sadness, worthlessness and loss of interest in normal life, and it has been going on for several weeks. A counseling professional can offer a wide range of techniques and tools to help overcome the problems that depression brings, and to help the person return to a happy, productive life.
, productive life.

CounselingWorks provides family Christian counseling on an affordable sliding fee scale. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

This article is provided by the American Counseling Association. Visit the ACA website at www.counseling.org.

Resource for expectant parents considering adoption

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If someone you know is pregnant and unsure if parenting is the best thing for them or their baby, we encourage you to explore the website below which gives a great outline of the adoption process and real-life stories from birth moms who decided that adoption was the best thing for them and their baby.

http://soiwasthinkingaboutadoption.com/

“This choice was the hardest but best choice I will ever have to make. I know it was the most unselfish thing I could have done.” -Angel, American Adoptions Birth Mother

Adoption is a beautiful and complicated process. It’s a story of incredible love and difficult loss. Expectant parents who make the brave and courageous decision to place their baby for adoption can be expected to experience a wide range of emotions including sorrow, relief, satisfaction, joy, deep sadness, empowerment, and gratitude to name a few. Not every parent who chooses adoption will feel the same way about their experience.

One emotion that is often felt by many birthparents is grief. Grief is often referred to as a journey or process that is unique to each individual who is experiencing it. The following articles provide great insight into many of the emotional issues faced by parents who decide to place their baby for adoption and how to walk alongside them through their journey of grief and loss. –Allison Abbey, AdoptionWorks Maternity Support Specialist

Source

Mommas you are so strong, selfless, and courageous. You are not forgotten. Below is a list of resources for expectant moms who are exploring their options whether it be parenting or adoption, as well as resources for birth moms who have already placed their child for adoption.

Taking Action To Get What You Want From Life

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Have you ever found yourself thinking that your life just has not worked out as you once planned? Many of us realize at some point that our past optimistic visions have had to surrender to reality.
Instead of feeling sorry for things that haven’t happened or didn’t work out, you might try some of these tips to get you closer to your dreams.

One starting point is put anger, blame or helplessness aside. Forget past hurts or abandonment. Unresolved anger and resentment use up energy much better spent on building the life you desire.
Nest, find your own voice. Often past relationships leave us unsure of ourselves or reluctant to express our feelings. You want to move to honest living and loving. Don’t worry that speaking up will make you appear selfish or overbearing. You don’t want to be controlling, simply honest and understood.

It also helps to learn to say “No” sometimes. Set limits and know when you’ve done enough. Avoid excessive demands on your time, talent and goodwill. Doing so creates room to say “yes” to things you really want to do, and avoids the resentment that comes with agreeing to things you really don’t want to do.
Try identifying your personal strengths and interests, and then to put time into nourishing them. Rather than trying to be someone you’re not, try enhancing who you really are.

Then take action, even if it’s  just small steps. Make a resolution to take one daily action that moves you closer to your desires: make that initial phone call, rewrite your resume, organize your closet, clean out those old files. Too often we fail to take the first step in a new direction. Don’t wait until you feel like doing it, just begin.
This is also a good time to create an overall balance in your life. If any one area of your life is consuming all or most of your time, look at small ways to make a shift. It might be work, social contacts, family demands or something else that keeps you from enjoying who you are. A healthy life means finding a balance in a variety of areas: physical, social, emotional, work/productivity, intellectual and spiritual.

A life that is too busy can easily crowd out moments of reflection which can help reconnect you with your core self and your reason for being.

 

CounselingWorks offers family, couple and individual Christian counseling on an affordable sliding scale fee.

This article is provided by the American Counseling Association. Visit the ACA website at www.counseling.org.