Articles
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Treatment of Mood Disorders at Life Healing Center
Most of us have been taught to view depression as a response to negative situations or life problems. But clinical depression represents a complex illness with its own signs and symptoms, prognosis, and treatment. Common symptoms of clinical depression include sleep and appetite disruption (too much or too little); feelings of guilt and remorse; crying jags; loss of interest in activities; fatigue and apathy; and a sense of hopelessness about the future.
In many cases, treatment of depression is complicated by post-traumatic stress, substance abuse or dependence, anxiety and panic, eating disorders, and sex, love and relationship problems, to name just a few. Life Healing Center's treatment team, with its range of skills and experience, is uniquely qualified to address these problems through an integrated, holistic plan of treatment.
Anxiety disorders fall into three broad categories. Generalized anxiety usually starts in childhood and is marked by continuous, low-level feelings of fear and dread that often result in a restrictive, unhappy, fearful existence. Panic disorder ordinarily starts in early adulthood, and features episodes of intense fear, perhaps short-lived, but terrifying and debilitating. Phobias have their origins in the 'anticipatory anxiety' that surrounds the possibility of a panic attack. Phobias may be specific (such as claustrophobia) or wide-ranging (agoraphobia). Untreated phobia can be crippling in its effects.
Not surprisingly, anxiety, panic and phobia are often found with other disorders: depression, chemical dependency, posttraumatic stress, eating disorders, etc. Treatment begins with a thorough evaluation by a qualified psychiatrist. Cognitive-behavioral therapy often proves helpful in building skills for preventing and managing anxiety and panic episodes. A program of spiritual support is important to restored calm and serenity. Research indicates that effective treatment of mood disorders includes cognitive and behavioral interventions that improve your ability to cope with stress and to live a full, meaningful existence. Treatment begins with an individual assessment by a psychiatrist. Medications, if prescribed, are not themselves addicting or dangerous to recovery.
To help "sustain the gains" made in treatment at Life Healing Center client and therapist work in tandem to develop a continuing care plan including: follow-up therapy, meditation, exercise, nutrition, and (in many cases) family therapy. Our Intensive Family Weekend Experience invites loved ones join our work at Life Healing Center, offering a new perspective on the past and renewed hope for future.
