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Depression Causes
Depression is a complex mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is important to have a clear understanding of how depression impacts the body and mind to make successful treatment choices.
Depression is not just a psychological response to life events, but also a physical one. The body’s response to depression is to produce lower levels of certain chemicals in the brain that regulate mood, including serotonin and dopamine. This can lead to physical and psychological symptoms such as low mood, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and difficulty concentrating.
Additionally, depression can have an impact on the body’s stress response system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Prolonged activation of the HPA axis can lead to physical symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and decreased immune function.
Persistent depression symptoms are caused by a complex interplay of psychological, social, and biological factors. Effective treatments and self-care tools for depression all hinge on this fundamental understanding. It is important for individuals to seek support and treatment from a mental health professional or healthcare provider and to take steps to care for their mental and physical health.
Specific Causes Of Depression
Depression can be caused by a variety of factors. While the exact causes of depression are not fully understood, research suggests that a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors may contribute to the development of the disorder.
Genetic factors are thought to play a role in the development of depression. Studies have shown that depression tends to run in families, and individuals with a family history of depression may be more likely to develop the disorder themselves. Genetic factors may influence how the brain responds to stress and affect the levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, that are associated with mood regulation.
Psychological factors, such as negative thinking patterns, can also contribute to the development of depression. Individuals who have a tendency to view the world in a negative way or who have a negative self-image may be more susceptible to depressive symptoms. Similarly, individuals who have experienced childhood trauma or abuse may be at higher risk of developing depression later in life.
Environmental factors, such as stressful life events, can also contribute to the development of depression. Traumatic events, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a serious illness, can trigger depressive symptoms in susceptible individuals. Chronic stress, such as workplace stress or financial strain, can also contribute to the development of depression.
Depression is a complex disorder, and its specific causes can vary widely from person to person. While some individuals may develop depression as a result of genetic or environmental factors, others may experience depressive symptoms as a result of psychological or interpersonal factors, such as relationship problems or low self-esteem.
The Full Scope Of Depression
Depression is a complex and multifaceted mental health disorder that can have a significant impact on all areas of a person’s life. The full scope of depression extends far beyond simply feeling sad or down. It is a condition that can affect a person’s emotions, thoughts, behaviours, and physical health, and can interfere with their ability to function in their daily lives.
At its core, depression is characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. These feelings can be overwhelming and can persist for weeks, months, or even years, making it difficult for individuals to find pleasure in things they once enjoyed, engage with others, and achieve their goals. Depression can also lead to a range of physical symptoms such as changes in appetite and sleep patterns, fatigue, and aches and pains.
The full scope of depression also includes a variety of cognitive symptoms that can interfere with a person’s ability to think clearly and make decisions. People with depression may experience difficulty concentrating or making decisions or have persistent negative thoughts that can impact their sense of self-worth and create a sense of hopelessness about the future.
Depression is not just a personal experience; it can have a significant impact on a person’s relationships, social functioning, and work performance. Individuals with depression may have difficulty connecting with others, may withdraw from social situations, or may have difficulty keeping up with work or school responsibilities.
Depression can have many different causes and can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, life experiences, and environmental factors. It is important to recognize that depression is a serious medical condition and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. With proper treatment, individuals with depression can achieve significant symptom relief and improve their overall quality of life.
Severn Clinics Supports Successful Holistic Care Of
Severn Clinics Supports Successful Holistic Care Of
FIBROMYALGIA
CHRONIC PAIN
DEPRESSION
ANXIETY
STRESS
OCD
PTSD
TRAUMA
INSOMNIA
ADD & ADHD
CHRONIC FATIGUE
MOOD DISORDERS
The Biology Of Depression
The key to understanding how to treat depression is understanding how it is really caused in the body.
Depression is a complex disorder with a variety of biological, psychological, and environmental factors at play. However, recent research has made significant progress in understanding the neurobiology of depression, which has led to more effective treatments.
One of the main theories of depression involves the dysregulation of neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These neurotransmitters help regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and other key functions, and imbalances in these chemicals can contribute to the development of depressive symptoms.
Research has also identified structural and functional changes in the brain in people with depression, particularly in areas such as the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, which play important roles in emotion regulation, memory, and learning. These changes can further perpetuate the symptoms of depression and make it more difficult to recover without treatment.
Other factors, such as genetics, inflammation, and stress, can also contribute to the development and maintenance of depression. For example, people with a family history of depression may be more vulnerable to developing the disorder themselves, while chronic stress can disrupt the delicate balance of neurotransmitters in the brain and contribute to the development of depressive symptoms.
Understanding the biological underpinnings of depression is essential for developing effective treatments. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) work by modulating neurotransmitter levels in the brain, while other treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can help regulate brain function and reduce symptoms.
However, depression is a complex disorder that cannot be fully explained by biology alone. Psychological and environmental factors, such as early life experiences, interpersonal relationships, and stress, can all contribute to the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms, and addressing these factors is critical for achieving long-term recovery.
Session Selection
Individual Session
A single session is perfect if you need a little mental relaxation during moments of heighten stress. Ideal to help combat the effects of, or prepare for a busy week.
Course Of Sessions
We recommend a course of sessions if you are looking at supporting a specific outcome. A course typically lasts five or ten weeks, where one or two light sessions per week can be scheduled.
This course protocol is then repeated every 2 to 3 months. Maintenance or relaxation sessions can be completed weekly or fortnightly during this more focused period; this is especially recommended if work or life stresses are significant.
Session Selection
Individual Session
A single session is perfect if you need a little mental relaxation during moments of heighten stress. Ideal to help combat the effects of, or prepare for a busy week.
Course Of Sessions
We recommend a course of sessions if you are looking at supporting a specific outcome. A course typically lasts five or ten weeks, where one or two light sessions per week can be scheduled.
This course protocol is then repeated every 2 to 3 months. Maintenance or relaxation sessions can be completed weekly or fortnightly during this more focused period; this is especially recommended if work or life stresses are significant.
Example Severn Clinics Sessions
Don’t Worry Be Happy
Length: 30 minutes
Return To Happiness
Length: 30 minutes
No More Anxiety
Length: 30 minutes
Purpose: Well-being/mood enhancer
Purpose: Mood Enhancing
Purpose: Anxiety, Tension, Fear, and Stress Relief / Calm Awareness and Focus/Feelings of Well-being
Feeling: Gentle, Chilled, Sleepy, Peaceful, Calming, Enjoyable
Feeling: Gentle, Peaceful, Calming
Feeling: Gentle, Chilled, Sleepy, Peaceful, Calming, Enjoyable
Frequencies: 9Hz, 14 Hz, 42Hz
Frequencies: Mixed SMR, Theta, and Medium Beta (plus matched isochronic tones)
Frequencies: 0.1Hz, SMR variable (13 -14 Hz)
Based on research showing that Beta frequencies including 14 Hz used in this session can significantly ease the feelings of depression this session starts at a relaxing 9Hz and then gently builds to the SMR/Beta frequency of 14 Hz.
As the session progresses, gamma range blends in to create a new brain state of positive emotion and brain alertness where not only will you just feel better, but you will likely be inspired to do better. Doing better is the key to long term feelings of positivity and well-being.
So sit or lie back, choose your favourite happy music, and let DeepWaver train you into more feelings of joy.
Return to Happiness is a perfect pick me up. Feeling low can be all consuming and hard to break out of. This session is designed to help you break out of the habitual mindset of feeling low or depressed.
It’s great to use a session to get you feeling better temporarily. Better still though is to start to train your brain to be in the frequencies of mind that encourage happy moods. What shows in experience and research to be most effective in this goal is to encourage a brain state that is ready for action but relaxed – SMR or Low Beta. This session has a stable core of SMR with some moving Theta and Beta to further enhance the effects
Anxiety is probably the most prevalent challenge for people in modern times. Research shows that it’s not just an overabundance of higher brain waves that are more common in people with anxiety but a lack of coherence in the lower brain frequencies. This session is designed to help you retrain yourself into an idling state. The idling state is where you are ready to either take action or relax.
Example DeepWave Sessions
Don’t Worry Be Happy
Length: 30 minutes
Purpose: Well-being/mood enhancer
Feeling: Gentle, Chilled, Sleepy, Peaceful, Calming, Enjoyable
Frequencies: 9Hz, 14 Hz, 42Hz
Based on research showing that Beta frequencies including 14 Hz used in this session can significantly ease the feelings of depression this session starts at a relaxing 9Hz and then gently builds to the SMR/Beta frequency of 14 Hz.
As the session progresses, gamma range blends in to create a new brain state of positive emotion and brain alertness where not only will you just feel better, but you will likely be inspired to do better. Doing better is the key to long term feelings of positivity and well-being.
So sit or lie back, choose your favourite happy music, and let DeepWaver train you into more feelings of joy.
Return To Happiness
Length: 30 minutes
Purpose: Mood Enhancing
Feeling: Gentle, Peaceful, Calming
Frequencies: Mixed SMR, Theta, and Medium Beta (plus matched isochronic tones)
Return to Happiness is a perfect pick me up. Feeling low can be all consuming and hard to break out of. This session is designed to help you break out of the habitual mindset of feeling low or depressed.
It’s great to use a session to get you feeling better temporarily. Better still though is to start to train your brain to be in the frequencies of mind that encourage happy moods. What shows in experience and research to be most effective in this goal is to encourage a brain state that is ready for action but relaxed – SMR or Low Beta. This session has a stable core of SMR with some moving Theta and Beta to further enhance the effects
No More Anxiety
Length: 30 minutes
Purpose: Anxiety, Tension, Fear, and Stress Relief / Calm Awareness and Focus/Feelings of Well-being
Feeling: Gentle, Chilled, Sleepy, Peaceful, Calming, Enjoyable
Frequencies: 0.1Hz, SMR variable (13 -14 Hz)
Anxiety is probably the most prevalent challenge for people in modern times. Research shows that it’s not just an overabundance of higher brain waves that are more common in people with anxiety but a lack of coherence in the lower brain frequencies. This session is designed to help you retrain yourself into an idling state. The idling state is where you are ready to either take action or relax.
Online Consultation
Book an online consultation and get personalized advice from the comfort of your home. Our licensed practitioners are here to assess your concerns, provide expert diagnosis, and offer treatment recommendations—all through a secure virtual session.
Call or Text
027 508 8083
tobias@severnclinics.co.nz
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