student feeling depressed

Clinical depression is a very common struggle, affecting more than 3 million people in the United States every year. While, logistically, you may know that there are others out there suffering through the same feelings of anxiety, low motivation, and low energy, it can seem nearly impossible to escape the hopelessness and isolation associated with depression. Depression is not something you just “get over” or “snap out of.” If you struggle with symptoms of depression, you know it’s never that easy or simple. However, depression is treatable.

Sadness Versus Depression

We all can feel sad, lost, and alone sometimes. For most people this feeling dissipates as hormones regulate, circumstances change, or stress is mitigated and they are able to get back to their everyday life. For others, though, this feeling of being low is not so easy to escape. If you struggle with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or isolation that never seem to lift and impact any or all areas of your life, you may want to consider the idea that you may be suffering from depression.

Symptoms Of Depression

Like many other mental illnesses, the presentation of the disorder is as unique as the individual struggling with it. While clinical depression can hardly be qualified by a brief list of symptoms, there are a few key feelings and behaviors to look out for if you think you or a loved one may be struggling. Some symptoms of depression include:

new mom struggling with postpartum depression
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Persistent sadness
  • Feelings of helplessness and guilt
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Slow movement or speech
  • Physical pain with no clear cause
  • Insomnia
  • Excessive fatigue or sleeping
  • Restlessness
  • Irritability
  • Low self-esteem
  • Lack of interest in activities
  • Feelings of isolation
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

If you or a loved may be suicidal, seek help as soon as possible. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8355 or visit the website here. Confidential and 100% FREE support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are several types of depression, the two most common of which are major depression and persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia). Length, severity, and presentation are going to look different for everyone. In fact, some people struggling with depression don’t even experience feelings they would categorize as sadness. It is for this reason that you want to be aware of all the different symptoms of depression so that you can address them effectively if or when they start to impede your everyday life, relationships, or sense of self.

Treating Depression With Neurofeedback

Medical treatment and support are focused exclusively on the chemical frequencies in the brain. Often, symptoms of depression can be directly linked to the electrical frequencies in your brain, so effective treatment frequently requires a more inclusive and also more targeted approach. Neurofeedback offers that.

young adult suffering from depression

At Braincode Centers, we begin treating depression by performing a qEEG brain map to identify and quantify the brain wave abnormalities that can be linked to your depression. By understanding the root of your depression, we are able to craft a personalized treatment plan comprised of elements from neurofeedback, biofeedback, and traditional counseling to effectively treat your symptoms of depression and retrain your brain to maintain its ideal state.

Our alternative treatments for depression help minimize your exposure to the side effects and risks of prescription medication, including a lifelong dependency to feel “normal.” Brain mapping and neurofeedback offer a drug-free option for treating your symptoms, training your brain, and leading a happier, healthier life.

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms of depression or want a drug-free alternative to treating your depression, contact the neurofeedback experts at Braincode Centers to schedule a free consultation with a clinician who specializes in treating depression.