“There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we were happy.” ~Dante
Some days are great – things go my way and people seem friendlier and more open towards me. I feel confident and happy. It’s a good day!
But other days (luckily not very often) everything’s a hassle, people are cold or demanding and I feel stressed, discouraged, and sad. It’s a lousy day! That’s when I like to retreat to a quiet room at home, get cozy under a soft blanket, recline in a chair, and play some Beethoven. It always soothes me.
Yes, our day-to-day lives can be emotionally trying. But for many people, daily living can be much harder than the typical challenge. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depression affects approximately 17.3 million American adults every year. Even the young are affected. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1.9 million American children aged three to seventeen have been diagnosed with depression. And around the world, 300 million people struggle with depression, according to the World Health Organization.
Depression is much more than simply being unhappy. Clinical depression is a complex mood disorder caused by various factors, including genetic predisposition, personality, stress, and brain chemistry.
Some forms of depression may develop under unique circumstances. For instance, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is affected by the weather and time of year. Postpartum depression can occur in women following the birth of their babies.
Potential triggers of depression include:
- genetic or family history of depression
- psychological or emotional vulnerability to depression
- biological factors such as imbalances in brain chemistry and in the endocrine/immune systems
- major stress in the person’s life.
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. Many hormonal factors may contribute to the increased rate of depression in women, particularly during times such as menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy and postpartum, miscarriage, pre-menopause, and menopause.
The main symptom of depression is a sad, despairing mood that:
- is present most days and lasts most of the day
- lasts for more than two weeks
- impairs the person’s performance at work, at school, or in social relationships.
Other symptoms of depression include:
- changes in appetite and weight
- issues with sleep– too much or too little
- loss of interest in personal cleanliness, work, hobbies, people, or sex
- withdrawal from family members and friends
- feeling useless, hopeless, excessively guilty, pessimistic, or having low self-esteem
- agitation
- irritability
- fatigue
- trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- crying easily or feeling like crying but not able to do so
- thoughts of suicide (which should always be taken seriously)
- losing touch with reality, hearing voices (hallucinations), or having strange ideas (delusions).
Bio-Touch has been shown to address symptoms of depression, and help people feel cared for and less stressed. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn to help each other feel better using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.
The Bio-Touch organization is offering a workshop at the Center in Tucson on Thursday December 12th from 6-8PM. Workshop attendees will learn the Bio-Touch points necessary to address symptoms of depression.
So, come and bring your family and friends to the Center at 5634 E. Pima St. in Tucson. You’ll see how rewarding and exciting it is to share Bio-Touch! For more information or to learn about online classes, Click here
