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Carmen Calatayud, LPC: Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2012 10:42 PM
Check out this story about the research that links working long hours with depression in the Los Angeles Times. Are you working too much? What are the effects on your life?
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Carmen Calatayud, LPC: Posted on Monday, August 15, 2011 9:40 PM
During the summer, it can look as though everyone is enjoying themselves with outdoor activities, parties and vacations. Sunshine actually does cheer up a lot of us and give us more energy.
It's still possible that you've noticed a pattern of depression during the summer months. If you're someone who tends to get depressed during the summer months, you may try to talk to yourself out of it, believing that it doesn't make sense to be depressed during this time of year. But depression can strike at any time.
Recent research has shown that there may be a link between a lack of melatonin, the hormone our body creates to help us sleep, and summertime depression. Whatever the reason, if you're feeling depressed even in the midst of summer, honor yourself by getting the support you need.
Selfhelp.org offers these signs and symptoms of clinical depression. If you identify with several of the following signs and symptoms and they just
won’t go away, you may be suffering from clinical depression:
- you can’t sleep or you sleep too much
- you can’t concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult
- you feel hopeless and helpless
- you can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how much you try
- you have lost your appetite or you can’t stop eating
- you are much more irritable, short-tempered, or aggressive than usual
- you’re consuming more alcohol than normal or engaging in other reckless behavior
- you have thoughts that life is not worth living (Seek help immediately if this is the case)
If you think you may be depressed, or if others are concerned about you, reach out and ask for help from an experienced psychotherapist. There are effective therapies that support both mind and body. You deserve to feel enthusiastic about your life.
With kindness, Carmen
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