Anger / Depression

Anger: A Warning of Depression

Posted by Orlando Therapy Project

Jennifer Sigman  LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in anxiety and marriage counseling. Jennifer utilizes mindfulness practices to help her clients better understand and improve themselves and their relationships. For more information about depression contact Jennifer Sigman, MS, LMFT at www.OrlandoTherapyProject.com, Sigmantherapy@aol.com or telephone 407-415-9017. 

Anger: A Warning of Depression

By: Jennifer Sigman, LMFT

Depression is a condition that affects a person’s mind and body. There is “contextual depression” brought about by a recent trauma, break-up, death, or other situational event, this type of depression is considered expected and time limited. “Clinical depression” is a biological condition, caused by Serotonin and sometimes Norepinephrine.

When a person is depressed, all aspects of life can be affected including eating, sleeping, working, relationships and how a person thinks about themselves. People who are clinically depressed cannot simply “snap out of it, get over it or pull themselves up by their boot straps.” Without appropriate treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months or years. At some point in their lives, 10%-25% of women and 5%-12% of men will become clinically depressed as reported by The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Often depression can go misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed as a result of how it is reported. Reports are based on the symptoms people experience and their ability to communicate these symptoms cohesively to their health care practitioners.

Anger is a common symptom of depression. Women frequently exhibit depression through typical symptoms such as: withdrawal, hopelessness, increased/decreased sleep and agitation while men often exhibit depression symptoms in more atypical ways such as: anger, reckless behavior and substance abuse. When the underlying issue of depression is treated, along with any secondary issues such as increased alcohol consumption, we often see anger decrease.

Depression causes suffering for those that are depressed as well as their family and friends who often don’t understand what is happening and don’t know how to help. If someone you know is an ‘angry person,” don’t rule out the possibility that they may be struggling from the unaddressed issue of depression. There are different type of depression and a variety of treatments including psychotherapy, exercise, guided imagery, medication, journaling and good nutrition. Seek help from a well trained clinician and explore the possibility of allergies as well as other context driven triggers.

Jennifer Sigman is the Director of the Orlando Therapy Project located in Central Florida. You can follow her at www.facebook.com/JenniferSigman.OTP or http://twitter.com/OrlThrpyProject.