Counseling for Stress and Depression in Orange and Anaheim
Depression is not just a feeling – it is a serious concern.
Depression affects not only our feelings and relationships – but it affects our health
16,000,000 Americans experience a Major Depressive episode each year.
People who are depressed are four times more likely to have a heart attack than non-depressed people.
But what causes depression?
There is no one single cause.
Biological component – Our genes, health, and drugs we can take can cause depression.
Psychological component – How we think as well as our experiences and history can lead some to depression.
Social component – Our relationships (or lack of them) is often a large component of depression.
Our life experience is the strongest predictor of depression.
This can include:
- Traumatic Life Events
- Difficult childhood experiences that led to difficulty in optimism and solving problems
- Relationship struggles
- Work clashes and troublesome bosses
Experts report that Talk therapy is the best treatment for the psychological and relationship-problems components of depression.
Good talk therapy (counseling) teaches:
- Greater self-awareness and self-acceptance
- Skills in healing, building and maintaining positive relationships with others
- Distress tolerance skills: coping with life’s inevitable adversities
- Skills in decision-making and thinking preventively
But what about meds?
In 2007, researcher Irving Kirsch took the raw data of depression drug studies. He concluded, “The difference between the effect of a placebo and the effect on an antidepressant is minimal for most people.” In 2008, JAMA issued an apology for publishing so many studies without identifying _who paid for those studies._
Medication (or at least medication alone) is unlikely to improve your relationships. Learning to manage your emotions, be more compassionate of yourself, and improving your decision-making abilities will.
Symptoms of Depression and Stress:
- Increased frustration, irritability, edginess
- Sad mood
- Diminished sexual desire or performance
- Excess anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness
- Reduced work efficiency or productivity
- Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts
- Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed
- Frequent headaches, jaw clenching or pain
- Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms
- Heartburn, stomach pain, nausea
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms of stress, consider getting some Stress Counseling support. There are many techniques and strategies to help you reduce the stress in your life while maintaining and improving your health, productivity and joyfulness.
Call us today at (949) 393-8662 or text us (949) 393-8662 for an appointment or more information.
Benefits of Stress Counseling include:
- Sharper thinking and concentration
- Better decision making
- Ability to prioritize tasks including other people’s requests
- Enhanced productivity
- More peace of mind and ease
- Better relationships and communication
- Less tension in the body
- Improved mood – happier, more easy-going
- Improved sleep
Myth: Stress helps you get a lot done.
Stress clouds our thinking and actually makes simple tasks take longer. However, when you have easy ways to release stress throughout the day, you have more energy and more cognitive awareness. This means life easier.
Don’t let stress eat away at your health and your relationships.
At Orange Counseling Center, we want to help you reduce and release your stress – and are looking forward to helping you find the ease, good health, and happiness you deserve.
Call us today at (949) 393-8662 or text us (949) 393-8662 for an appointment or more information.