Depression & Anxiety

At the Brain Wellness and Biofeedback Center we treat anxiety and depression with EEG Neurofeedback. Treatment plans may also include physiological biofeedback. Please review the information contained in the modalities section of this web site.

For more information about the symptoms of depression and anxiety, read the information below.

DEPRESSION:

Life is full of emotions. Most of us feel both joy and sadness. If, however, a period of sadness hangs on for weeks, gets more intense, or begins to interfere in daily activities, then it may be a kind of depression classified as clinical depression. Having clinical depression doesn't mean a person is "crazy." It merely means that he or she has a serious depression that needs attention and professional help.

When are sadness, gloom or "feeling down" normal and when are they a more serious problem? Clinical depression differs from normal sadness or "the blues" in both the severity of symptoms and in duration. Normal sadness usually does not affect all areas of a person's life and goes away in a few hours or days. Sometimes a shopping trip or being with friends will cause sadness to disappear. Clinical depression lasts for much longer periods of time and has more symptoms. The rule of thumb is that if sadness lasts for longer than two weeks, it is probably clinical depression. This type of depression often interferes with everyday functioning. Clinical depression is a serious disorder that needs to be evaluated by a professional and usually requires some form of treatment.

Following is a list of the most common symptoms of depression. Most people will not experience all of these symptoms, but generally the more symptoms that are present, the more serious the depression probably is:

(1) A sad or depressed mood most of the time

(2) Some form of sleep disturbance - either sleeping poorly or sleeping for long periods. The sleep problems often occur as frequent awakenings during the night or early morning awakening.

(3) Some form of appetite disturbance (either loss of appetite or overeating to compensate for sad moods).

(4) Difficulties in concentration.

(5) Loss of energy or feelings of fatigue.

(6) Periods of crying or tearfulness.

(7) Feeling hopeless or helpless.

(8) Increased irritability, anger, or hostility.

(9) Difficulty making decisions.

(10) Thoughts of suicide or death.

(11) Social withdrawal or isolation from friends or social acquaintances.

(12) Loss of interest in activities that are usually pleasurable.

(13) Physical problems that appear to have no medical cause.

(14) Feelings of failure, worthlessness, or excessive guilt.

(15) Loss of sexual desire.

(16) Memory problems.

(17) Passive behavior.

(18) Inabilities to cope on the job or in the family

ANXIETY:

Everyone feels some degree of anxiety or nervousness from time to time. Some of the best examples arise in connection with public speaking or interviewing for a new job. However, if the anxiety you experience is not temporary, and especially if it begins to interfere with your functioning in life, you may be experiencing an anxiety disorder.

Having an anxiety disorder doesn't mean you are crazy. It simply means you are experiencing levels of fear or apprehension that usually can be treated.

Generalized Anxiety

Generalized anxiety disorder refers to an almost constant worry and fretting over things in life, usually without a known reason. The worry seems endless, and because the worst is usually expected to happen it may interfere with sleep or concentration.

Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder:

(1) Little or no control over the tendencies to worry excessively.

(2) Feeling restless or "on edge."

(3) Sleep disturbance.

(4) Irritability and tenseness.

(5) Difficulties with concentration.

(6) Feelings of fatigue.