Depression Archives - Achieve Concierge

How Neurofeedback Therapy Helps Seasonal Affective Disorder

October 23, 2020/0 Comments/in Depression, Mental Health /by Achieve Concierge

Many people love Fall and Winter because of the change in weather, and the arrival of the holidays. However, the darkness we experience as the days grow shorter can affect our mood. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) occurs because the brain’s neural power is too low. The result of decreased neural capacity leads to a decrease in dopamine release and serotonin, the chemical that makes us feel good.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder affects people primarily in late Fall and early Winter. SAD generally goes away during the spring and summer because of the increasing hours of sunlight. The amount of sun exposure an individual gets during the day plays an essential role in Seasonal Affective Disorder. People who live in areas further away from the equator are at a higher risk for SAD, since late Fall and early Winter have fewer hours of daylight in those areas. Your skin needs approximately 10-30 minutes of sunlight each day to produce vitamin D, which helps prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder. Vitamin D also plays a role in serotonin production, a chemical the brain secretes, generating positive thoughts and feelings. Without the right amount of vitamin D, the brain’s ability to release serotonin decreases along with consistently good moods. Harmful habits, such as increased alcohol or substance use, occur when a person seeks ways to numb uncomfortable feelings. Knowing the factors that affect the body’s ability to yield enough vitamin D is crucial in decreasing the risk of major depression and SAD.

Factors that affect your skin’s ability to produce vitamin D include:

The season
Time of day
Geographic location
The amount of melanin in your skin

What Makes Depression Major?

Depression affects or disrupts our daily habits, friendships, jobs, education, and relationships with family members. Even someone who is considered extremely high-functioning or has recieved treatment for Major Depressive Disorder previously can be at risk. Symptoms persistent beyond two weeks is considered major, and a possible indicator of Seasonal Affective Disorder may be major depression symptoms occurring during specific seasons, late Fall and early Winter.

The signs of major depression and SAD, according to The National Institute of Mental Health are:

Major Depression

Feeling depressed most of the day
Feeling hopeless
Having low energy
Losing interest in activities
The inability to go to sleep or stay asleep
Changes in your appetite or weight
Agitation or tired
Lack of concentration
Suicidal ideations

Symptoms of the Winter Pattern of SAD include:

Low energy
Uncontrolled exhaustion during the day or excessive nighttime sleep
Overeating
Weight gain
Craving for carbohydrates
Social withdrawal

The National Institute of Mental Health writes the risk factors for SAD are:

Women are diagnosed at a higher rate with SAD than men.
Those with a family history of depression are at a higher risk of having SAD.
Younger adults have a higher risk of SAD than older adults.
The symptoms of depression may worsen with the seasons if you have one of the risk factors mentioned.

How Does Seasonal Affective Disorder Develop?

Researchers aren’t sure why SAD develops in some people. Scientists hypothesize the decrease in serotonin production and a possible increase in melatonin production is a factor in SAD. Serotonin produces a feel-good mood while melatonin regulates circadian rhythms and sleep. The decrease in serotonin and an increase in melatonin production can signal a Vitamin D deficiency.

Ways to Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder

Increased eating, poor nutrition, and a lack of exercise can affect your mood. Review your eating and exercise habits to see where you can improve.

The urge to stay home and curl up under a blanket is strong while suffering from SAD. Spending time with friends or family can create a chance to talk with others about your feelings. Seeing a therapist discuss what you are feeling can help you recognize SAD and find positive coping skills. Your therapist can suggest other forms of treatment, like neurofeedback therapy, to aid you in reducing your SAD.

How Can Neurofeedback Therapy Help?

Neurofeedback uses your brain’s neuroplasticity—brain changes due to injury, disease, or mental health disorder—to work.

The journal article Neurofeedback: A Comprehensive Review on System Design, Methodology and Clinical Applications explains Neurofeedback:

“Neurofeedback is a safe and non-invasive procedure that showed improvement in the treatment of many problems and disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, ASD, insomnia, drug addiction, schizophrenia, learning disabilities, dyslexia and dyscalculia.”

Talk with your therapist about neurofeedback. Combining neurofeedback with therapy can decrease or eliminate the symptoms associated with major depression or SAD. Achieve provides several different modalities for those requiring more than a group or individual therapy to cope with the overwhelming feelings associated with mental health challenges such as major depression or SAD.

As fall and winter approach, the symptoms of SAD are felt by those with and without chronic depression. Well-known therapy forms include talk therapy, antidepressants, neurofeedback, or a combination of treatments. Your clinician can talk with you about the benefits of trying neurofeedback to address your SAD. Achieve Concierge individualizes continuums of care to include genetic testing, naturopathic medicine, and evidence-based therapy modalities. Call (858) 221-0344 to schedule an appointment today.

The Benefits of Botox For Depression

September 13, 2020/0 Comments/in Depression /by Achieve Concierge

Struggling with depression can be overwhelming. Major depression is a common mental health disorder that can create severe obstacles to activities. For those who suffer from major depression, living can become a burden.
The National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) data defines major depression as:

A period of at least two weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities and had a majority of specified symptoms, such as problems with sleep, eating, energy,
concentration, or self-worth.
No exclusions were made for major depressive episode symptoms caused by medical illness, substance use disorders, or medication.

NIMH also relays the statistics for the prevalence of major depressive episode among adults:

An estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 7.1% of all U.S. adults.
The prevalence of major depressive episodes was higher among adult females (8.7%) compared to males (5.3%).
The prevalence of adults with major depressives episodes was highest among individuals aged 18-25 (13.1%).
The prevalence of major depressive episodes was highest among adults reporting two or races (11.3%).
An estimated 65% received combined care by a health professional and medication treatment.
Treatment with medication alone was the least common (6%).
Approximately 35% of adults with major depressive episodes did not receive treatment.

Standard Treatment

Standard treatment for major depressive episodes isn’t always effective. Researchers have discovered a surprising regimen for the disorder: Botox. You may be wondering “what is Botox?” Botox is well-known for its use as a cosmetic procedure to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

The Benefits of Botox

Botox is more than a remedy for wrinkles. Doctors have prescribed it for

Chronic migraines
Excessive underarm sweating
Overactive bladder
Crossed-eyes
Premature ejaculation
Abnormal heartbeat
Severely cold hands
Cleft lip scars in babies
Painful sex
Severe neck spasms
Depression

Botox can aid in reducing symptoms from a major depressive disorder. Botox also doesn’t have the side effects some people experience with antidepressants.

A study titled “Efficacy of Botox versus Placebo for Treatment of Patients with Major Depression” researched whether or not Botox is an effective treatment for those with major depressive disorder. The study consisted of 28 patients with major depressive disorder. The patients were assigned to either receive a placebo or Botox. Researchers followed the patients for six weeks.

At the end of the first week, two of the researchers saw little difference between the patients in the placebo group and those in the Botox group. However, the results after six weeks were encouraging. The patients who were given Botox showed an improvement in their major depressive disorder. The same patients were also found to have little or no side effects from Botox. This finding offers hope to researchers, therapists, and those with major depressive disorder.

How Does Botox Relieve Symptoms of Depression?

Studies regarding the effectiveness of Botox for the treatment of major depressive disorder began in 2006. A study in 2016 published in the Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology theories demonstrated how:

BTA yields a cosmetic effect, which indirectly leads to improved mood
More pleasant facial expressions lead to positive social feedback with resultant mood improvement
Decreased glabellar muscle activation decreases afferent nerve signals back to the brain, thereby reducing “negative emotional feedback”
BTA itself reaches the brain, causing direct effects on emotional processing

A preliminary finding was the benefit of Botox can be linked to “facial feedback.” Emotions and their expressions can send feedback to the brain. Botox suppresses the contraction in the forehead that produces frown lines. The suppression of the frown lines may result in improved mood. For those who tried everything and still suffer from the effects of major depressive disorder, the idea of Botox may be worth considering.

What to Expect at a Botox Appointment

Before choosing a doctor to give you a Botox injection, take the time to find a doctor who not only specializes in providing injections but can also address your mental health needs. Here is the step by step procedure for getting a Botox injection:

The doctor will clean your face with an alcohol wipe
A medication will be injected to numb the area
Botox will be injected into the muscles between your eyebrows

Botox causes temporary paralysis of the fine or frown lines found between your eyes or on the forehead region. The paralysis is thought to suppress the mood feedback to the brain. Without a frown forming between your eyes, it is believed that depression is suppressed.

Botox Side Effects vs. Antidepressant Side Effects

Based on findings from the Mayo Clinic, Botox side effects can include:

pain, swelling, or bruising near the injection site
headache
flu-like symptoms
droopy eyebrow or eyelid
dry eyes or increased tears

The effects of Botox are thought to last for several weeks longer than when used for cosmetic purposes. On the other hand, the side effects of antidepressants can include:

nausea
sexual dysfunction
drowsiness
fatigue
increased appetite
weight gain
insomnia

When to Contact Your Doctor

Sometimes the use of Botox can result in severe side effects such as

muscle weakness
vision changes
problems speaking or swallowing
breathing difficulties
loss of bladder control

If any of these symptoms occur, you should immediately call your doctor and let them know. These side effects are not typical and only happen in rare cases.

Before deciding to use Botox as a part of treatment for major depressive disorder, talk with your therapist about the pros and cons. Ask whether you will remain on an antidepressant, how it will work, and if it is right for you. Botox, when combined with the proper treatment, can be an effective way to help you cope with the symptoms of major depressive disorder.

Choosing to try something new for your major depressive disorder doesn’t need to be overwhelming. If you exhausted the standard care treatments prescribed by your doctor or therapist, take the time to ask about using Botox as a treatment for major depressive disorder. Studies show how Botox—when combined with therapy, and if necessary, an antidepressant—can improve your mental health.

Before you decide to start Botox, consult with your doctor or therapist on how you will decrease your current antidepressant. Also, trying genetic testing to see how certain antidepressants affect you is useful; ask your therapist if you can try genetic testing. Following all avenues to improve your major depressive disorder can help you understand your genetic predisposition to certain medications, how they can interact with your body, and if Botox can help relieve your major depressive symptoms. Call Achieve Concierge for more information at (858) 221-0344.

Cycles of Depression: Hope in Treatment

August 13, 2020/0 Comments/in Depression /by Achieve Concierge

Depression is complicated. There is often a fear of vulnerability. Complicating it, even more, is the anxiety of being labeled. Then there is the advice given by friends and family. Despite the well-intentioned words, there remains a lack of understanding of how crippling depression is. People who suffer from depression are often masters of disguise.

The need to keep up appearances pushes them to drive away their feelings. For many, the promise of comfort found in substances is tempting. The first few times creates a sense of well-being. Unfortunately, people often believe that continued use will help them keep depression away.

Depression

Depression occurs commonly across the world. Those who are affected by depression are young and old, male and female. Complex interactions in social, biological, and psychological situations can contribute to depression. Adverse life events, such as loss of a loved one or a job, as well as trauma, can all contribute to depression—and feelings of depression can also layer on top of existing feelings of depression.

There are two types of depression: the World Health Organization defines the types of depression and their symptoms depending on the number and severity of symptoms; a depressive episode can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. A key distinction is also made between depression in people who do or do not have a history of manic episodes.

Both types of depression can be chronic (i.e., over an extended period) with relapses, especially if they go untreated.

Recurrent depressive disorder: this disorder involves repeated depressive episodes. During these episodes, the person experiences a depressed mood, loss of interest and enjoyment, and reduced energy—leading to diminished activity for at least two weeks.

Many people with depression also suffer from anxiety symptoms, disturbed sleep, and appetite, and may have feelings of guilt or low self-worth, poor concentration, and even symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical diagnosis. Depending on the number and severity of symptoms, a depressive episode can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe.

An individual with a mild depressive episode will have some difficulty in continuing with ordinary work and social activities, but will probably not cease to function completely. During a severe depressive episode, it is unlikely that the sufferer will be able to continue with social, work, or domestic activities, except to a limited extent.

Bipolar affective disorder: this type of depression typically consists of both manic and depressive episodes, separated by periods of normal mood. Manic episodes involve elevated or irritable mood, over-activity, pressure of speech, inflated self-esteem, and a decreased need for sleep.

Depression may lead to suicidal thoughts. Many people seek relief from depression by using alcohol or drugs. However, using alcohol or substances increases suicidal ideations, rather than decreasing those thoughts.

Depression and Alcohol or Substance Abuse

Feelings of depression are, at times, overwhelming. People, seeking to ease feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or stress can turn to alcohol or substances. The use of alcohol or substances can temporarily mask those feelings; however, using alcohol or substances doesn’t address the root of depression. Alcohol, drug, or marijuana users soon become dependent on these substances in a never-ending cycle.

Continued use of alcohol, drugs, or marijuana can increase feelings of depression. Talking to a therapist, a doctor, or joining a support group can help individuals begin to actually address their depression. For treatment to be successful, finding the right therapist is essential.

Treatment for Depression

The World Health Organization explains the types of treatments for depression:

Health-care providers may offer psychological treatments such as behavioral activation, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), or antidepressant medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Health-care providers should keep in mind the possible adverse effects associated with antidepressant medication, the ability to deliver either intervention (in terms of expertise, and/or treatment availability), and individual preferences. Different psychological treatment formats for consideration include individual and/or group face-to-face psychological treatments delivered by professionals and supervised lay therapists.

Myra’s Story

Myra, an addict, shares her struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts.

Myra sought help after her first attempt at suicide. While in treatment, Myra developed a greater understanding of the causes and manifestations of depression, and learned how to address those causes. She felt empowered. Unfortunately, Myra wasn’t comfortable asking her therapist about a new medication, because her current prescription didn’t alleviate her feeling of depression.

She didn’t feel better and began to wonder if therapy or medication would work. Two years later, she attempted suicide again. During the two years before her second attempt, Myra stopped going to therapy and neglected to take her medication for depression.

Finding the Right Fit

The next time Myra decided to seek help, she chose a treatment center that matched therapists with their clients’ needs. Myra sat in the office of her therapist and talked about everything but her suicidal ideations. Each session was a time to chat, talk about her career, family, and explain to her therapist how she didn’t have time to give in to depression.

Myra was good at keeping up appearances until one day she realized she was tired of pretending to be okay. Myra trusted her relationship with her therapist, and she opened up. She told her therapist about her episodes of depression. Together, they addressed Myra’s depression disorder. Myra and her therapist discussed what triggers her feelings of depression, her previous prescriptions, and what she used to alleviate her feelings of depression.

Her therapist explained that Myra had Treatment-Resistant Depression. After speaking with the doctor, Myra and her therapist agreed that including Spravato to her treatment would benefit her—a medication prescribed by a doctor for those with Treatment-Resistant Depression. Myra saw improvements in her depression after combining Spravato, therapy, and an antidepressant.

Depression is a common psychological illness and is treatable. Influences such as the death of loved one, job loss, and other life changes increase the chance of depression. Stress from trying to hide or address depression on your own adds to depression. It’s okay to acknowledge the signs of depression, including a lack of interest in hobbies, places, or people. The search for help is possible by reaching out to others. Talking with someone about feelings of depression should help alleviate those feelings. Feelings of depression can be addressed through comprehensive care. If you were previously in treatment for depression, but it didn’t work, there is an answer. Treatment-Resistant Depression isn’t something you have to live with. Addressing Treatment-Resistant Depression is possible with prescriptions such as Spravato. Specialized care tailored to meet each individual’s needs can create a positive experience in therapy. Treatment for depression offers hope. Contact Achieve Concierge today: (858) 221-0344.

10 Self-Care Activities to Combat Depression

July 27, 2020/0 Comments/in Depression /by Achieve Concierge

Coping with depression during a global pandemic and being unable to leave home can take an emotional toll on just about anyone. As the world begins to open up, it’s important to do little things that bring you joy and comfort while adjusting to new social norms and a new way of life.

Taking care of yourself needs to be as important as taking care of your family, work, bills, or any other responsibilities. Here are some ideas that you can implement in your life now to start living a happier and healthier reality.

1. Surf the Internet

The endless resources on the internet make it easy to take up a new hobby, learn a new skill, or entertain yourself with a good TV show or movie. While surfing the internet, it could also be beneficial to look for more ways to implement self-care that works for you. For example, you can join an online chat room, seek inspirational quotes, or read success stories from other individuals who also have a depression diagnosis.

2. Go Out to Eat with Friends

Is there a local restaurant you’ve been dying to try? Now is a great time to ask your friends if they’d like to meet up and grab a bite to eat! As the world begins to open back up after the coronavirus pandemic, eating out is just one way to get back into old routines and social habits. Call your local eateries and ask for a reservation to have a sit-down experience again! This is also a great way to get you out of the house if you are feeling down.

3. Rearrange the Furniture in Your Home

It’s always nice to give the place you are so familiar with a little shake-up or change of scenery. Move things around, try a new paint color, or add a rug to a room. Changing your home — even if they are minor changes — is an excellent way to get yourself into a mindset of seeing things from a different perspective.

4. Try Arts & Crafts

There are plenty of tools locally and online to teach someone a new artistic talent. Through video streaming platforms, you can find painting tutorials, candle-making videos, or blogs that teach you how to crochet and knit. Find a creative outlet that allows you to complete an original art piece to signify your artistic ability and your achievement of completion.

5. Just Say “No”

Many of us find saying no to plans or events to be extremely difficult. Finding your strength to decline invitations might be just what you need to heal yourself mentally or take a personal self-care day. It’s okay to say no to plans that do not seem all that fun to you. Just make sure that you do not isolate yourself all the time — spending quality time with friends and family is important.

6. Clean Up

Many people find a clean space to be cathartic. Even a quick 10-minute tidy-up around your main living area or workspace could be the motivation you need to feel calmer, more at peace, and grounded.

7. Practice Good Hygiene

For some, it could be challenging to get out of bed and start your day. Consider taking a hot shower, washing and styling your hair, and putting on an outfit that makes you feel stylish and ready for your day. Getting prepared is a great motivation to get outside and do something fun and productive.

8. Start a Blog

Starting a blog on any platform website and writing about whatever makes you happy is a great way to practice self-care. Write about your experiences, your cat, your job, funny posts you saw on social media — whatever you choose to write about could be an excellent release of emotion. It could even show you a new creative talent you never knew you had.

9. Allow Yourself a Movie Day

Spend an entire day in your pajamas with some popcorn and candy and binge-watch that TV show or movie series you have been dying to see. Take the time to kick back, turn off your phone, and dive into a fictional world. It’s okay!

10. Watch the Sunrise

Find out when the sun will rise in your city and set your alarm extra early. Grab a blanket and a pillow, pour a cup of coffee, and go to a comfortable location with a non-obstructed view. Listen to your feel-good playlist and watch the world wake up. It’s a brand-new day.

Managing a depression diagnosis is complicated. If you try many self-care techniques and still don’t feel like you’re receiving the treatment you need, Achieve Concierge can help. Our outpatient treatment facilities for depression are staffed by expert medical personnel and feature state-of-the-art therapies, so we can offer our patients tailored treatment options for their depression symptoms. To learn more, call us today at (858) 221-0344.

The Link Between Athletes and Depression

July 7, 2020/0 Comments/in Depression /by Achieve Concierge

More high school and college athletes are experiencing depression than ever before. According to the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), depression affects approximately 17.3 American adults, or just over 7% of the U.S. population age 18 and older. Yet recent studies have found that among high school and college athletes ages 18-25, anywhere from 15-21% of them suffer from depression — that’s nearly double the rate of American adults.

This dramatic increase indicates that athletes are under higher amounts of stress and are more likely to be depressed. At this age, athletes who continue to major universities are under enormous amounts of pressure to perform well for the college. They must entertain a large student body and fan population while maintaining their class schedule, workout schedule, study routine, and free time. They may be told to push through their pain and ignore injuries to stay on the field. Sadly for many, this pressure seems to be an acceptable part of student-athlete life.

Injuries and Depression

For starters, there is a proven link between concussions and depression. Scientific research has concluded that sports concussions have a lasting impact on one’s personality and emotional state. Athletes who experienced three or more concussions have reported a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with depression than athletes who have had zero concussions. Other injuries can have the same damaging effects as concussions — or worse.

When researchers compared athletes who had concussions to those with torn anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL), they found that athletes with an ACL injury were even more likely to experience depression than those with a concussion. Numerous studies have found similar links between injuries and depression. One study of more than 900 NCAA athletes found that 33% of athletes with an injury and 27% of uninjured athletes could be considered depressed.

Another study found that 51% of surveyed athletes who sustained an injury experienced mild to severe depression symptoms, suggesting that the athletes may feel pressured to come back after an injury at equal or better performance levels than before. They may also feel depressed if they are unable to play their sport or if they are limited to specific physical therapy activities. They will almost certainly feel distanced or different from the rest of their teammates.

Athletic Performance and Depression

Depression typically comes with a stigma attached to it. One of the decorated Olympians, Michael Phelps, recently opened up about his battle with depression and its relation to his pressure to be the best father, husband, and professional swimmer. Again, scientific research has found a correlation between athletic performance and symptoms of depression.

A study conducted with 50 elite professional swimmers showed that 34% of athletes reported lasting depression episodes, which could last for the rest of their lives. The top quartile of the elite swimmers had depression scores that nearly doubled their respective competitors. Athletes who fail or lose during a competition are more likely to experience depression as well. It is increasingly vital for mental health professionals to be aware of this issue when treating athletes who did not win a major game, race, event, etc.

The athlete and the trainer/mental health provider must be mindful of the bouts of depression that can arise after experiencing a loss or setback. It may not only be the athlete’s ideas and self-expectations that are causing the depression to occur — but it can also stem from expectations that were set by coaches, teammates, and family.

Mental Health for Athletes

At this time, there is limited evidence linking athletes’ high-performance levels and their mental health experiences. It is likely that the utilization of mental health benefits for athletes might be underreported or hardly used for many reasons. Sports medicine teams are often encouraged to provide psychiatric care and mental health services to athletes in lieu of licensed professionals. Ideally, these sports medicine teams should implement mandatory mental health briefings for athletes, make mental health resources readily available at any time, and help them schedule appointments with licensed professionals if needed.

Warning Signs

Atypical warning signs of depression in athletes could present themselves as anger and irritability, engagement in unhealthy coping mechanisms, overtraining, or substance abuse. Watch for these signs in all athletes and assess when it is the right time to seek mental health help.

At Achieve Concierge, we believe that we can help athletes and all types of individuals with their depression. — including athletes — with their depression. We help determine the best course of treatment for each patient by choosing one or a combination of treatment options, such as psychotherapy, exercise, and medication. To speak with one of our mental health specialists, call us today at (858) 221-0344.

The Importance of Caregivers to Those with Depression

March 24, 2020/0 Comments/in Depression, Mental Health /by Achieve Concierge

A caregiver refers to a person who provides care to someone in need. Research indicates that there are approximately 40 million caregivers in the United States who perform a wide array of duties on behalf of another, which includes everything from driving to housekeeping, and ensure that the person being cared for receives assistance. For instance, adult children sometimes serve as caregivers to aging parents, and monitor the health and independence of their parents. Or, if a family member or friend is dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, a caregiver may offer care to help keep this individual safe.

Caregiving is rewarding, as it allows a person to help another during a difficult time. Yet caregiver stress and burnout are problematic, and if they go unaddressed, may lead to depression.

What Are Caregiver Stress and Burnout?

Caregiving can be physically and emotionally demanding. Taking care of oneself on a day-to-day basis is often difficult. Meanwhile, a caregiver is responsible for himself or herself and a person who is coping with a difficult life situation. The responsibilities of being a caregiver can become overwhelming, especially when this individual is trying to practice self-care and dedicate ample time and energy to take care of another person.

Stress can add up quickly for a caregiver without him or her even noticing it. However, there are many warning signs of caregiver stress, including feeling tired, sad, constantly worrying, experiencing frequent headaches, and even abusing drugs and alcohol.

If caregiver stress becomes too much, a caregiver may feel like he or she can no longer support himself or herself as well as another person. In this scenario, a caregiver may feel guilty, which can be immobilizing. He or she may also experience caregiver burnout, which is a serious problem that may ultimately result in depression.

What Is Caregiver Depression?

There is sometimes a link between caregivers and depression, and if taking care of another person becomes overwhelming, he or she may experience sleep disturbances, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headaches, and other depression symptoms. This individual may be prone to recurring thoughts of death or suicide as well.

The symptoms of caregiver depression must be treated immediately, because the longer these symptoms go unaddressed, the worse they may become. Caregiver depression symptoms can make it very difficult for a person to care for another individual, and without proper treatment, they could put a caregiver and the person he or she is caring for in danger.

What Are the Best Ways to Cope with Caregiver Stress, Burnout, and Depression?

At the first sign of caregiver stress, burnout, or depression, a doctor consultation is key. A doctor can help a caregiver treat stress, burnout, and depression, as well as offer recommendations to prevent these problems from recurring. There are also many things that a caregiver can do to minimize their symptoms, such as:

Accept Help from Others. As a caregiver, you want to do your best to take care of another person, but there’s only so much you can do on your own. By accepting help from others with things like cooking or running errands, you can get the support you need to provide the best care possible.
Join a Support Group. Caregiver support groups are available in cities and towns nationwide, enabling caregivers to come together to share their thoughts and feelings with one another. Find a local caregiver support group so you can meet with fellow caregivers, bond over your shared experiences, and explore ways to manage stress, burnout, and depression symptoms.
Seek Social Support. Family members, friends, and other loved ones are there to provide support in good times and bad. If you’re struggling with caregiver stress, burnout, or depression, you can reach out to loved ones for support.

In addition to the previously mentioned strategies, Achieve Concierge helps caregivers find ways to cope with stress, burnout, and depression symptoms. Our medical clinicians work with patients to treat the body, mind, and spirit, ensuring that they develop safe, effective coping strategies. We also tailor treatments to accommodate the needs of each patient, and a treatment plan may include a combination of therapies to deliver long-lasting results. To learn more, please contact us online or call us today at (858) 221-0344.

I updated the link here from the outline; the link included in the outline did not focus on support groups in San Diego. So, I changed it to an AARP link that provides online resources where caregivers can search for support groups nationwide.

5 Ways to Support Survivors of Suicide

January 15, 2020/0 Comments/in Anxiety, Depression, Mental Health, Treatment /by Achieve Concierge

Suicide ranks as the tenth-leading cause of death in the United States, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) reports, and an estimated 1.4 million suicide attempts took place in 2017. Yet there are many ways to promote suicide education and prevention, and to support suicide loss survivors around the world, such as:

1. Promote Self-Care

A survivor of suicide loss is susceptible to a wide range of powerful emotions, including shock, anger, guilt, despair, and confusion, and these emotions may continue for weeks or months after the loss of a loved one to suicide. It is important to realize that the aforementioned emotions are only temporary, but self-care activities may help a person move past them.

There are many ways to practice self-care, such as going for a walk outdoors, getting a massage, and volunteering in your community. If you’re coping with the loss of a loved one to suicide, try different self-care options that make you feel good. You can also encourage someone struggling with the loss of a loved one to do the same.

2. Review Survivor Loss Resources

The loss of a loved one to suicide often raises questions and concerns that can be virtually impossible to answer, but resources are available to help you cope.

For example, you can read a book or watch a film from the AFSP’s book and film recommendations for suicide loss survivors. You can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Line for additional guidance and support.

3. Engage in a Group Discussion

Losing a loved one to suicide can be a difficult topic to discuss, but engaging with others in a group discussion about this subject may be helpful. With a group discussion, you and others coping with the loss of a loved one can share your thoughts and feelings with one another, without blame, shame, or guilt.

Use the AFSP’s group discussion guidelines to create a dialogue with family members, friends, and others around suicide loss. AFSP also offers suicide loss support groups in cities and towns across the United States.

4. Speak Out About Suicide

Education plays a key role in suicide prevention. If you feel comfortable, you can speak out about suicide and share your story with others. This allows you to educate others about the dangers associated with suicide.

If you decide to express your thoughts and feelings about suicide, follow the advice in AFSP’s speak out about suicide guide to share your suicide loss story or encourage others to share their stories.

5. Seek Out Professional Help

Complicated grief can make it difficult for a person coping with suicide loss to function. If grief continues beyond 12 months after this loss, an individual may want to pursue professional help.

Psychotherapy may be a good option for an individual dealing with the loss of a loved one to suicide. This form of therapy can help an individual develop coping strategies to manage his or her emotions.

In addition to psychotherapy, antidepressant medications may be used to help a person manage his or her complicated grief symptoms. Medications may be prescribed on their own, or used in combination with psychotherapy, to help a person cope with the loss of a loved one to suicide.

Suicide loss survivors may cope with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) that causes fatigue, body aches, and other physical symptoms, as well as anxiety, stress, and various emotional symptoms. Thus, different coping strategies and treatment methods are often needed to help survivors of suicide loss manage these symptoms.

At Achieve Concierge, we understand the physical and emotional challenges associated with recovering from the loss of a loved one, and engage our patients on multiple levels of care. That way, we provide each patient with a total wellness experience to treat the mind, body, and spirit. To learn more, please contact us online, or call us today at (858) 221-0344.

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Depression

January 1, 2020/0 Comments/in Depression, Mental Health /by Achieve Concierge

A New Year’s resolution brings hope and excitement. Yet for people who are coping with depression, creating the right New Year’s resolution and following through on it is sometimes challenging. And in some cases, a New Year’s resolution can cause new depression symptoms, or cause existing depression symptoms to worsen.

The new year represents a time of change, and if a person failed to accomplish a New Year’s resolution the previous year then he or she might experience New Year’s blues. In this situation, an individual may be susceptible to sadness, guilt, and other depression symptoms, particularly when it comes to thinking about and creating a New Year’s resolution.

Pressure from others to create a New Year’s resolution can be overwhelming, too. If family members and friends have already put together New Year’s resolutions, stress may escalate for someone who has yet to do so. Increased stress levels can contribute to depression and may make a person give up on forming New Year’s resolutions.

Even if one didn’t accomplish last year’s resolution, it is important not to forget the opportunity provided by starting a New Year. For those who want to accomplish as much as possible in the new year, a New Year’s resolution represents an opportunity to put their best foot forward.

Tips to Find a New Year’s Resolution for Depression

A New Year’s resolution presents a unique opportunity, particularly for people who are coping with depression. By focusing on the positive aspects of a New Year’s resolution, like how eating healthy or exercising in the new year can help slim his or her waistline, an individual can develop a New Year’s resolution that won’t contribute to depression symptoms. This type of positive resolution may even bring a smile to an individual’s face.

With a New Year’s resolution, it helps to be specific as well, WebMD notes. Once a person has a specific New Year’s resolution in place, he or she can determine the exact steps required to transform a vision into a reality.

Sometimes, a New Year’s resolution appears more daunting after a person puts his or her plan into action. If this occurs, a person should be unafraid to modify the resolution. He or she can even break a New Year’s resolution into a series of smaller steps or goals.

New Year’s Resolutions for Depression

Any of these New Year’s resolutions may help an individual feel good about himself or herself and manage depression symptoms:

Exercise Daily: Engage in exercise and other physical activities that help improve mood, reduce anxiety, and release feel-good endorphins in the brain.
Practice Yoga, Meditation, or Other Mindfulness Activities: Perform mindfulness activities that promote emotional well-being and increase self-awareness.
Spend Time with Family Members and Friends: Regularly schedule time to enjoy fun activities with family members and friends.
Journal Every Day: Use a daily journal to express thoughts and feelings that contribute to depression symptoms and put these thoughts and feelings into perspective.
Seek Out Treatment for Depression Symptoms: Meet with a doctor to discuss depression and evaluate different treatment options.

If depression symptoms are persistent and make it tough to enjoy life, there is no need to let them linger. By consulting with the medical clinicians at Achieve Concierge, an individual can take the first step to learn techniques or strategies to cope with depression.

Depression is problematic, and depression symptoms can make it difficult for a person to create and follow through on a New Year’s resolution. At Achieve Concierge, we help patients discover the best ways to manage depression symptoms. To learn more or to schedule a treatment consultation with Achieve Concierge, please contact us online, or call us today at (858) 221-0344.

What to Do If You Have Holiday Depression

December 25, 2019/0 Comments/in Depression, Mental Health, Treatment /by Achieve Concierge

The holiday season is a joyous time of year, filled with celebrations that men, women, and children worldwide can enjoy. For some people, however, the holiday season brings depression symptoms that can be difficult to manage.

There are many holiday depression triggers, including family gatherings, over-commercialization, and over-committing.

A family gathering during the holiday season can be enjoyable yet taxing. It is a great opportunity to catch up with loved ones, but sometimes triggers bad memories. Or in other cases, tensions may rise and a fight can break out at a family gathering. In either case, coordinating everyone’s plans and attending a family gathering during the holidays can increase stress and anxiety levels.

The over-commercialization of the holiday season can also be problematic. The emphasis on buying gifts can fuel the pressure to find the perfect presents for each of your loved ones, putting tremendous stress one’s shoulders. It may even cause a person to feel sadness, guilt, worthlessness, and other depression symptoms due to the fact that he or she is unable to find the perfect holiday gifts.

Meanwhile, celebrations are wonderful ways to commemorate the holiday season, but committing to too many of these celebrations can cause a person to stretch himself or herself too thin. If this happens, a person is susceptible to increased stress, lack of sleep, and other problems commonly associated with depression.

Is Holiday Depression Preventable?

Holiday depression is not always preventable, but it can be managed. If a person can identify the warning signs of holiday depression, he or she can develop and implement strategies to cope with holiday depression symptoms.

Common symptoms of holiday depression include stress, fatigue, and headaches. People coping with holiday depression are also prone to excessive drinking and over-eating.

Holiday depression can occur at any time during the holiday season, but the symptoms can be managed. At the first sign of holiday depression symptoms, it helps to meet with a doctor. An individual and his or her doctor can work together to safely diagnose these symptoms and then develop and execute coping strategies. If a person coping with holiday depression experiences thoughts of suicide or death, he or she should call 911 or consult with a doctor immediately.

In addition to meeting with a doctor, there are many things that a person can do to cope with his or her holiday depression symptoms, including:

Establish modest expectations. Instead of striving for a picture-perfect holiday season, an individual can focus on making the most of the time and resources available to celebrate the holiday season with loved ones as best as possible.
Lean on loved ones for extra support. Loved ones are available during tough times, and reaching out to them to express thoughts and feelings can help a person manage his or her depression symptoms during the holiday season.
Create a holiday shopping budget. With a budget in place, an individual can spend up to a certain amount on holiday gifts. Also, if a person is concerned about finances during the holiday season, he or she can always craft a homemade gift or offer quality time as a substitute for a purchased gift.
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help a person feel better emotionally and physically during the holiday season.

Finally, the medical clinicians at Achieve Concierge are available to provide support to people dealing with depression during the holidays. Our clinicians take a collaborative approach to address depression symptoms, and provide each patient with a personalized depression therapy program.

Holiday depression can have a serious impact on an individual as well as his or her loved ones, but help is available to manage this problem. At Achieve Concierge, we provide comprehensive mental wellness services to help patients cope with holiday depression and its related symptoms. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, please contact us online, or call us today at (858) 221-0344.

10 Ways to Support Someone with Depression

August 30, 2019/1 Comment/in Depression, Mental Health, Treatment /by Achieve Concierge

Depression is a serious medical illness that affects millions of people worldwide. In some instances, depression symptoms go untreated for many months or years — despite the harm they cause. Fortunately, if you know how to identify depression symptoms, you can help friends, family members, and colleagues cope with depression.

Depression can affect a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and it causes a wide range of symptoms, including:

Anxiety
Difficulty concentrating
Fatigue
Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and/or sadness
Suicidal thoughts
Stress
Weight loss or gain

If you experience any of the aforementioned depression symptoms, it is crucial to seek out medical support immediately. Meeting with a doctor allows you to explore safe and effective depression treatment options.

Comparatively, if a friend, family member, or colleague displays depression symptoms, providing support is sometimes difficult. You likely want to do everything possible to show your support to this individual in his or her time of need. At the same time, this individual may not be ready to discuss his or her depression symptoms with you. The end result: you may feel helpless, but you still want to support someone dealing with depression.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to treat depression, but providing support may help someone find the best way to alleviate his or her depression symptoms. Now, let’s explore 10 ways to support someone with depression.

1. Learn About Depression

Learn about depression, its symptoms, and how it is treated. Depression is complex, and there are many types of depression that affect individuals in a variety of ways. By learning about depression, you are well-equipped to identify depression symptoms in others. Plus, you may be able to help people dealing with depression take the first step to treat their symptoms.

2. Be an Active Listener

It may seem impossible to get someone dealing with depression to open up about his or her thoughts and feelings. However, active listening makes a world of difference, as it enables you to express your concerns to someone struggling with depression symptoms. If someone with depression wants to talk about his or her thoughts and feelings, it is paramount to concentrate, understand, and respond to what they have to say. With active listening, you can foster trust with a person dealing with depression. And over time, you may be able to help this individual work through his or her depression symptoms.

3. Keep an Open Mind

Depression often raises concerns and questions for the person struggling with depression symptoms, as well as his or her friends, family members, and colleagues. To show support, it helps to be open to everything someone has to say about his or her symptoms. By keeping an open mind, you may be able to help them make sense of his or her depression symptoms. Perhaps most importantly, you could help a person struggling with depression determine the best course of action for treatment.

4. Keep in Touch

Remember, even a text message, email, or phone call to show your support can help someone dealing with depression. As long as you make yourself available, you can be a source of support to someone with depression. At first this person can be closed off but at some point they may open up or need help, and if you make the effort to stay in contact with them then you will be ready to provide support any time they want your help.

5. Stay Active

Research indicates there is a direct correlation between exercise and treating depression, and inviting someone to work out or go to the gym with you may help this individual manage his or her depression symptoms. Meanwhile, simply spending time with a friend, family member, or colleague dealing with depression, whether it’s hiking or going to the gym, may also help this individual feel supported.

6. Set a Positive Example

Maintaining a positive outlook speaks volumes about who you are as a person, and it may inspire someone dealing with depression to find ways to cope with his or her symptoms. Additionally, you can lean on others for support to show someone with depression that he or she does not need to face depression symptoms alone.

7. Use “I Statements”

“I statements” are powerful, and they allow you to share your feelings and thoughts with someone dealing with depression without judgment. By emphasizing your thoughts and feelings rather than the listener’s (ie., don’t talk about how they’re feeling to them, or analyze their behavior to them), you can use I statements to show your support to any individual struggling with depression.

8. Ask Questions

No one expects you to have all the answers, especially when it comes to treating depression. If you ask someone dealing with depression various open questions about his or her feelings and thoughts, you can gain insights into his or her symptoms. You can also use questions to help a person dealing with depression brainstorm ways to treat his or her symptoms.

9. Share Your Feelings and Thoughts

You want to show your support to someone struggling with depression because you care about him or her. Oftentimes, one of the best ways to do that is to share your own feelings and thoughts. It may seem difficult at first, but once you share your own deeper feelings and thoughts, you may inspire them to do the same.

10. Recommend a Doctor’s Appointment

Encourage someone struggling with depression to meet with a doctor. You can provide recommendations for local doctors that this individual can meet with to discuss his or her depression symptoms. Furthermore, you can offer to attend a doctor’s appointment with this individual so he or she feels supported during the visit.

The Bottom Line on Showing Support to Someone with Depression

Depression is problematic, but you can help treat this issue. By showing your support to someone dealing with depression, you could make it easier for this individual to seek out treatment.

At Achieve Concierge, we provide expert services to treat depression and other mental health conditions. We offer personalized treatments, same- and next-day appointments, and other exclusive benefits and premier service options to help our patients get the support they need, any time they need it. To find out more about our mental health services or to schedule an appointment, please contact us online or call us at (858) 221-0344.

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