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Depression

The Polyvagal Theory: How to Calm the Body

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polyvagal theory

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. AMFT What is Polyvagal Theory? Polyvagal Theory explains the impact that our nervous system has on our experience of threat and safety. Shifts in our autonomic nervous system (which regulates involuntary physiological processes like heart rate, respiration, digestion, etc.) produces key states of being: rest-and-digest (safe), fight-or-flight (unsafe, mobilization), or shutdown (unsafe, freeze). The autonomic nervous system is composed of three divisions, two of which are the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.  If we have unresolved trauma in our past, struggle with chronic stress, or experience anxiety and depression, we may live in a version of perpetual fight-or-flight. This is hard on the body and can lead to many adverse health outcomes, both physical and mental. What is the Vagus Nerve? Central to Polyvagal Theory is the vagus nerve, “is the longest cranial nerve in the body, containing both motor and sensory functions in both the …

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How to Support a Family Member with Depression and Anxiety

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How to Support a Family Member with Depression and Anxiety

Data shows that 9.5% of American adults have some form of depressive disorder, and 18% have an anxiety disorder. Most of those millions have family members, like you, who wonder how to support their loved ones. You can take many actions to support someone with mental illness. One thing to avoid doing is ignoring the issue. Symptoms will not go away and will likely worsen if not treated. You may wonder how to start a conversation about mental health with a loved one without offending them. The key is to express empathy and caring in whatever you say.  The more you know about depression and anxiety, the easier it will be to find the right words of support. Learn More About Depression and Anxiety No one chooses to have a mental health disorder; it doesn’t go away without specific treatments and lifestyle changes. Depression and anxiety are mood disorders involving …

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How to Manage Depression in 2023

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how to manage depression

Medically reviewed by Mark Hrymoc MD If COVID has taught us anything over the last few years, we are all vulnerable to mental health ups and downs. Depression rates skyrocketed during the pandemic and are still high today. Research shows that over 17 million adults have had at least one depressive episode. Among adolescents, over 2.5 million have severe depression, yet only about 60% receive treatment. There is no better time to start taking charge of your depression. You can do numerous things to make mental health a priority this year. In this article, you will learn how to manage depression. How to Manage Depression Depression is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world. It can impact every aspect of a person’s life, including work, relationships, and daily routines. While many effective treatments are available for depression, managing the condition can be challenging. This …

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What is Unipolar Depression? (And How to Find Treatment)

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Unipolar Depression

Unipolar depression affects 8.4% of Americans, primarily women and people between 18 and 25. Of those with unipolar depression, close to 15 million people had a severe episode. In addition, 17%, or nearly 3 million, adolescents between 12 and 17 had at least one unipolar episode. Unipolar depression is another name for major depressive disorder. Because there are at least ten types of major depressive disorders, and each requires different treatments, it’s essential to know how to distinguish between them. What is Unipolar Depression? To be diagnosed with unipolar depression, you must lack mania. Also, you must have at least five symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition (DSM5) for two weeks or longer, including: Feeling sad or down for no apparent reason that lasts most of the day and multiple days a week. Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed. Gaining or losing weight without trying …

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Treatment for Postpartum Depression

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polyvagal theory

By Ashley Barnes What is postpartum depression? If you are a mother experiencing postpartum depression, you are not alone. In fact, approximately 1 in 7 women experience PDD (GUNHS, 2021). According to the American Psychological Association (APA), postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that can appear days or months after a woman gives birth, with symptoms lasting longer than two weeks (2022). The severity of symptoms and their prolonged nature (lasting more than two weeks) distinguishes PDD from the “baby blues.”  The mood disorder can affect any woman regardless of the course of pregnancy, those who are first-time mothers or have had children before, and regardless of race or ethnicity, income, culture or education, and age. However, there are known risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing PPD, including the inevitable shift in hormone levels after giving birth, previous experience of depression and anxiety, family history of depression or …

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