How striking to learn that nearly 80% of people with depression do not get treated!  According to the Center for Disease Control and prevention, (www.cdc.gov/‎) about 9% of the population may be experiencing depression.  The National Institute for Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov/), reports, further, that women are 70% likely to experience depression.

These are eye-popping stats, in a culture that continues to promote health and well-being with the latest advances in medical technology and pharmaceuticals.  Yet, there are a number of factors that lead to depression, to the extent that it shows up in hospital emergency departments, doctor’s offices, workplace and schools, among others.

When we experience loss…

We will begin with “loss,” as a starting place in exploring types/factors/remedies found in depression.  I encourage clicking the links above to research further about depression, following reading this blog.

People experience various losses during the course of life, including loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, loss of physical well-being, loss of pets, and others.  We all go through a “grief and loss” process when this occurs, that includes stages.  Elisabeth  Kubler-Ross identified  these well in her book, “On Death and Dying.”

5 Stages of Loss:

1. Denial and isolation, a temporary response to carry us through the first wave of our pain.
2. Anger, which is actually an internal hurt, that gets directed to the deceased, to the treating professionals, etc., where our hurt is projected outwardly.
3. Bargaining, often, with God.  This is an attempt to regain some control, in the midst of defenselessness and vulnerability.
4. Depression/grief, experienced as true sadness, in the hurt and pain of our loss.  We feel.
5. Acceptance, that this has occurred, and, in its time, allowing hope and life to come back into focus.

What do I do…?

In today’s technology, and with our advancements in pharmaceuticals, what is sometimes not accessed or valued on the same level is talk therapy.  Scientific studies continue to point to counseling as effective, or more so, than medications in contending with grief and loss.  This is not to disparage medications, as often, meds and counseling are the preferred approach in depression.

Depression can impact one’s view of the world, and circumstances, often serving as a negative filter through which one sees.  Cognitive behavioral therapy is an especially effective model to assist the individual in exploring choices, regaining a sense of power and control in their circumstance.

We have just touched on this huge topic in this initial blog presentation, with more to come in subsequent blogs.  For now, it is important to remember to not isolate during a time of depression, but, to seek support which will reopen the doors of hope.

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If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, please call 911 or visit your local hospital and ask for the psychiatrist on call. If you are in the Raleigh-Durham North Carolina area, please call Holly Hill Respond Line at 919-250-7000. 

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Author: David Wiley, MS, LPC for Miller Counseling Services, PC

Mr. David Wiley, MS, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Miller Counseling Services.  He has practiced in a variety of behavioral health settings in the Triangle area of North Carolina since 1981, including innovative approaches to substance abuse and chronic pain management, crisis intervention, as well as working with relationship issues with couples and families. Areas of interest, and expertise include: mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, substance abuse education/screening/outpatient follow-up, ADD/ADHD, relationship/premarital/marital counseling along with co-therapy, stress/pain management including biofeedback modality, life transition issues especially with college students as well as older adults, adolescent counseling.