Major Depression
What we can improve
Major Depression is characterized by a loss of pleasure and a sad mood sustained for several weeks, almost every day. Thoughts are negative, self-esteem is diminished, and the affected person tends to see life with pessimism.
Although several psychological elements are involved in major depression, more and more studies show that under-activation of certain regions of the brain would be associated with many of these cases.
Brain regions all have functions to manage. At the mood level, the left frontal lobe is involved to generate positive emotions. It therefore deals with regulating (containing) manifestations of negative emotions. For example, when the left frontal lobe is damaged, people often become more apathetic, depressed or get angry easily seeing as the filter that held these emotions is no longer working. They are therefore more likely to develop depression.
Other more recent studies, including one published in 2018 in the well-known journal Nature, have shown that major depression, as well as several psychiatric issues, may result from poor communication between the frontal lobes and other areas of the brain. See Nature’s article.
When we perform the evaluation and analysis of the qEEG, the neuropsychologist will then pay particular attention to the level of activity of the frontal lobes, as well as its many connections with other regions of the brain. With the latest-generation Neurofeedback equipment used in our clinics, we can now simultaneously train frontal lobe activity (to activate the left frontal lobe which is responsible for generating positive emotions) and at the same time bring about the communication needed with other regions. In this fashion, we have noticed an even faster progression of the condition in our customers.
- More positive mood
- Increased level of concentration
- Increased feeling of well-being
- Decreased fatigue
- Better control of emotions
Neurofeedback is currently rated as a Level 5 of 5 intervention for depression according to the “Evidence-based Practice in Neurofeedback and Biofeedback 2023” reference guide. In general, clients perceive a decrease in depressive symptoms after 4 or 5 sessions, but usually continue a dozen more sessions of training with this protocol in order to reach significant levels of improvement
It has been shown that the benefits obtained with Neurofeedback are usually long-lasting and they continue to improve in the months following the end of Neurofeedback training.
What are the symptoms of major depression?
People with major depression generally have a sad mood for weeks (at least two). Depressed individuals also have many other symptoms:
- sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia),
- increase or decrease in appetite,
- headaches,
- back or stomach pain,
- loss of concentration and energy,
- lack of motivation or interest,
- poor self-esteem,
- excessive or inappropriate guilt,
- thoughts of suicide or death,
- suicide attempts or specific suicidal planning.
Some people with significant depression neglect their personal hygiene, their children, or even their pets. However, others may well conceal their state of mind and appear completely normal to the outside eye despite the great suffering they are experiencing. Depressive states can be seasonal. Symptoms can thus recur from year to year in the fall and subside in the spring. In this case, fatigue and sadness are often accompanied by a great need for sleep and increased appetite.
Dysthymia is a form of chronic depression whose intensity is less than major depression. Indeed, you will have a gloomy mood over a period of at least two years, but the other symptoms will be less intense. You can generally lead a normal life, albeit unhappy.
Diagnostic evaluation
The diagnosis of a depressive disorder is based on the identification of symptoms and clinical criteria. Through specific closed questions, the doctor can determine if you are suffering from major depression or not. To distinguish depressive disorders from normal mood variations, you must experience significant distress or impairments in social, professional, or other areas.
Several mood disorders exist. You may have a major depressive disorder (often called major depression) or a persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia). Other diagnoses are classified by etiology into depressive disorders:
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder,
- depressive disorder due to another somatic disorder,
- and depressive disorder induced by a substance or treatment.
Neuroperforma clinics do not make a diagnosis. A psychologist or a doctor can make the diagnosis. Consult a mental health professional before you are no longer able to perform your usual activities. If symptoms of major depression occur, you can turn to certain organizations and associations in the mental health sector in Canada.
You can also consult us to undergo neurofeedback sessions and thus improve your mental state.
To prevent major depression, you must adopt healthy lifestyle habits (sleep, diet, exercise), associate with people who make you happy and provide support, develop positive and confident self-talk, set pleasant and realistic goals for the future, but above all, learn to accept life events.
Major depression is an illness that can be treated with psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, or a combination of both treatments. These treatments allow you to resume daily activities and regain control of your life. Specialists generally recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat depression. This psychotherapy helps to modify your thoughts and problematic behaviors to replace them with thoughts and reactions appropriate to reality.
There are other therapies according to your needs if you have already experienced a depressive episode. As for depression medications, they restore the chemical balance of the brain. Taking antidepressants can reduce the intensity of physical symptoms and act on concentration, memory, and emotions.
La différence entre les deux, c’est que le TDA est une condition impliquant seulement des difficultés d’attention sans présence d’hyperactivité physique et mentale. En revanche, le TDAH est un trouble du déficit de l’attention avec hyperactivité. Les enfants souffrant de TDAH sont généralement perçus comme des personnes qui débordent d’énergie, qui ont la bougeotte et qui sont intenses ou impulsifs.
À la maison, les enfants atteints de TDAH font souvent des crises de colère. Ce qui crée des tensions importantes au sein de la famille. Les enfants TDA quant à eu sont souvent lunatique et ont de la difficulté à se mettre à la tâche. La période des devoirs peut être compliquée entre l’enfant et ses parents. À l’école, les enfants manifestant un TDA ou un TDAH présentent un risque d’avoir des difficultés d’apprentissage en lecture et pour accomplir les tâches. Ils peuvent se retrouver en situation d’échec s’ils ne sont pas rapidement pris en charge. Le TDAH affecte donc négativement la vie scolaire, sociale et familiale de celui qui en souffre.
Les enfants issus de familles présentant ce trouble sont susceptibles de développer les symptômes y afférant.
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