1.   Low energy level, loss of motivation.

       2.   Feeling sad, crying.

       3.   Possible decrease or increase in appetite.

       4.   Withdrawal from relationships and activities.

       5.   Physical: headaches, stomach or back problems. 

       6.   Loss of sexual interest.    

       7.   Feeling discouraged, hopeless, even suicidal.

Each year approximately 19 million are affected in the U.S.  The occurrence of depression is twice as high for women.

Sometimes depression comes after:

         *  A major loss such as a death or loss of a job or a friendship

         *  Being in a very stressful home or work environment for months

          *  A stressful physical illness

Sometimes depression seems to just come.  It may have a biological root, especially if there is history of depression in your family.  Whether your depression comes from a loss, a stress, or just family biology, the brain is affected.  Usually important neurotransmitters such as serotonin or norepinephrine are out of balance.

A mild depression may respond to respond to psychotherapy alone as you deal with the cause of your stress and depression.  Clinical depression requires some help for the brain as well as psycho- therapy. This could mean an anti depressant from your family doctor or from a psychiatrist who specializes in such medicines.

A non-medication approach to helping the brain recover from depression is neurotherapy.  This involves taking the QEEG which produces colored brainmaps.  If your brainwaves patterns are consistent with those of depressed people, then neurotherapy may help you recover.  Below are some brainmaps of a depressed person.  They have too much left frontal alpha brainwave and too much fast beta in the central area.  

Below is brainmap of female with depression.  She has classic pattern of excessive left frontal Alpha and excessive fast Beta in central location.

Severe depression where the person is non-functional and/or has suicidal thoughts and plans, should be seen by a psychiatrist and usually started on an anti depressant.  They should also begin psychotherapy.  In some cases they may even need a short hospitialization. 

Often mild to moderate depression can be treated with psychotherapy and either neurotherapy or over the counter supplements which help support the neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain.

MAIN POINT:  Get help!  In most cases depression responds very well to treatment. It can be a real opportunity for growth.