Depression

It’s difficult to restart your life every two or three years. Some of my clients identify themselves as “trailing spouses.” They use this term to indicate that they have followed their husband or wife, either across Canada or around the world, moving whenever their partner’s job demanded that they … [Read more...] about Trailing spouses and depression

Diabetes is difficult to manage. I have worked with many people that have diabetes. One individual went into a diabetic coma during a therapy session in my second year of graduate school. I called parametics and my client left the outpatient clinic by ambulance. I was fortunate to have a supervisor … [Read more...] about Diabetes and depression are correlated

There are people who experience depression. Some of us escape this affliction, but a large number of us will experience bouts of depression that can be pretty awful. … [Read more...] about Offer yourself compassion when you feel depressed

I have had several clients tell me that they do not enjoy Christmas. Sure, they like having the holiday time off from work or school and the fact that everything comes to a halt for several days. But they don’t enjoy Christmas, or the days leading up to Christmas. Why is that?  … [Read more...] about Not everyone enjoys Christmas

I sometimes discuss the purpose of life with my clients. A philosophy that resonates well is to discuss Socrates’ idea that the purpose of life is not the pursuit of happiness, which is what many of us have been taught to think, but rather the pursuit of the whole range of human emotions. … [Read more...] about The purpose of life: A philosophy for living

It is important to realize that a significant number of people who attempt suicide tell someone about their plans or give warning signs before acting on them. … [Read more...] about What to do when someone tells you they are suicidal

Many people that suffer from depression rely on a number of people for information and support. In addition to family members, friends and co-workers, you might want to visit your family doctor as well as a psychologist because both family doctors and psychologists can offer effective treatments for … [Read more...] about Visit your family doctor or a psychologist if you are depressed

Rates of diagnosable depression, or Major Depressive Disorder, are quite high in the general adult population. These rates are increasing, with Major Depressive Episodes reported by 6 percent of women and 4 percent of men at any given time. … [Read more...] about How common is depression in adults?

The onset of Major Depressive Disorder typically occurs during a person's teens or 20s, but can occur before puberty. Although gender differences are not seen during childhood, depression is diagnosed twice as often in girls as in boys by adolescence. This divergence becomes evident at age 14. … [Read more...] about How common is depression in children?

Many of my clients that seek counselling to help them cope with depression are encouraged when they are able to label what it means to have a Major Depressive Episode. … [Read more...] about How psychologists diagnose depression