BLOG (9/1) posted on 2018/07/02 – check this blog for the next update in about two week’s time
MOVE OUT FROM UNDER THE DARK SHADOW OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
A combination of treatment is often needed
I once attended a seminar on the treatment of depression. The presenter was a qualified psychiatrist as well as a registered clinical psychologist. He emphasized the importance of the combination of psychotherapy on the one hand, and bio-chemical treatment on the other hand, in order to achieve optimal results in the treatment of depression and anxiety.
Because it is not easy for anyone to get out of a condition like depression or anxiety, it is advisable to consider a combination of psychotherapy, medicinal and/or psychiatric treatment, as well as the help of your spiritual leader. In the treatment of patients in psychiatric wards in hospitals and rehabilitation centres, it is commonplace to find – apart from psychiatrists, psychologists and nursing staff – also church leaders, occupational and speech therapists, remedial teachers, and even sports coaches as part of a multi-disciplinary team, in order to treat the person as a whole.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves the application of specialised psychological techniques in the treatment of mental disorders, and of general coping problems. By and large it is accepted that therapy only involves psychological techniques, such as group therapy, client-centred therapy, psycho-analysis and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Be that as it may, it can in certain cases also involve ECT (electro convulsive therapy) / shock treatment. It is noteworthy that only a professionally trained person, such as a psychiatrist, registered psychologist, counselor or therapist, is allowed to use psychotherapy as treatment for patients. This is a specialist service that is available – either for yourself, or a significant other.
The psychologist also needs to understand that he/she cannot do everything for you. Sometimes – depending on the specific problem – the therapist needs to refer you to a psychiatrist, medical practitioner or spiritual leader. Each individual in a helping profession, needs to realise, that cross reference will sometimes be needed. It is important to put the client first, and that it is never about the ego nor the ennoblement of the therapist. Most Christian psychologists will not see it as part of their role, to pray for you in your presence. A spiritual leader is often part of his parishioner’s (church member’s) immediate life, and can therefore pray with them. The psychologist however, is only available on the basis of appointment, and to facilitate the psychotherapeutic process. However, nothing stands in the way as a Christian psychologist, to pray for his or her clients at any other time, to take their cases and treatment to the throne of God, and to lay them before Him.
An example of psychotherapy
Become more relaxed in your breathing … and less anxious
With an anxious person, the therapist will attempt to make him/her more relaxed. Because most of the symptoms of anxiety are physical, it is necessary to employ intervention of a physical nature. An example is breathing techniques which have the potential to break the chain of negative reactions, which can start as the result of shallow breathing.
One of these techniques is the ‘Breath of Life’ technique. When you feel anxious, you have to take a deep breath and then exhale slowly against the back of your hand, which you are holding a short distance away from your mouth. At the same time you should give yourself a positive suggestion, such as ‘I am alive’. Research has shown that this suggestion will find its way into your subconscious thoughts.
Medical (bio-chemical) treatment
Medical treatment for a patient suffering from depression or anxiety, is usually administered by a medical doctor or psychiatrist. This includes verbal and emotional exploration of the client’s problem, but mostly anti-depressant or anti-psychotic medication is also prescribed. The reason is, that very often people with these conditions have serotonin and dopamine shortages, which result in chemical imbalances in the brain. Very few clients understand how anti-depressants work; therefore I have decided to briefly describe their function.
Using anti-depressants is analogous to taking extra vitamins, or adding more fuel to your car, so that it can take you to your destination. One can also compare it to a tree trying to grow or to survive without efficient food or water. In the case of depression, your brain uses up more serotonin transmitter substance – and you experience a loss of energy. Your tank is empty. It becomes harder for the tree to maintain itself or to survive.
What is serotonin? It is a biogenic amine. Biogenic amines are a group of active chemical substances which play an important role in the functioning of the nervous system. Examples of such substances are catecholamines (such as adrenalin, dopamine and noradrenalin) and idoolamine (such as serotonin and tryptophan).
What is dopamine? It is also a synaptic transmitter in the central nervous system, and directly precedes the formation of noradrenalin.
Because your brain uses too much serotonin when you suffer from depression, you will need an anti-depressant that can serve as a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI).
The medication inhibits the re-uptake of serotonin in the synapse (the connection between two neurons) in your brain. Anti-depressants result in a freer flow of enough (not too much) serotonin, noradrenalin and dopamine in the secretion processes between neurons.
What is a neuron? A neuron is a nerve cell, i.e. the basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system. Neurons play a prominent role in the conducting of nerve impulses. By building up the serotonin levels in your brain, you enable it to relay messages faster to your central nervous system, and the rest of your body. Messages to your central nervous system and also the rest of your body are accelerated through the building up of serotonin levels in your brain. This enhances your general feeling of well-being. Pleasant social interaction through the means of sharing thoughts, ideas and emotions with friends, family or even a therapist in conversation, results in an enhanced experience of well-being which corresponds to that of an increase in serotonin levels, and thus serves the same purpose as an anti-depressant.
To use anti-psychotic substances to counteract or decrease your anxiety, can be compared to water being thrown onto a fire to extinguish it. When you experience too much stress or anxiety, the neurons in your brain secrete too much adrenalin. Adrenalin is a hormone that is secreted during highly emotional or dangerous situations. It is the so-called fight-or-flight hormone. The most significant effect it has on the body, is an accelerated heartbeat; increased blood pressure, higher resistance to fatigue and enlarged pupils. Sometimes adrenalin acts as a transmitter substance. Anti-psychotic substances lead to decreased secretion of adrenalin. In the case of anxiety, your brain needs to slow down by decreasing the secretion of certain transmitter substances.
The importance of physical exercise
Physical exercise is essential in the treatment of depression and anxiety. As you sweat, your body releases larger amounts of endorphins. This results in the neurons secreting more serotonin and dopamine, which in turn combat depression in a natural way. Endorphins are substances with some of the characteristics of morphine, and are produced by the body. The name comes from endogenic morphine. Endorphins play a role in the body’s natural control of emotional reactions associated with pain. When you exercise, your body is supplying you with a natural anti-depressant and painkiller. Sometimes however, exercise alone is not enough and you may also need medication and/or psychotherapy.