Depression is a general term for several mood disorders which most often include the following symptoms:   tearfulness, irritability, excessive worry about physical health, complaints of pain (headaches or joint, abdominal or other pains), feelings of inadequacy, feelings of guilt or brooding about the past, social withdrawal.  There is often a generalized loss of interest or pleasure.

Depression afflicts one in eighteen Americans at any particular time.  As many as 20% of women will be clinically depressed sometime in their lifetime.  Recent studies show that 13 to 27 percent of older  adults have subclinical depressions that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorders but are associated with increased risk of major depression, physical disability, medical illness, and high use of health services. Though not as severe as clinical depression, subclinical depressions cause considerable suffering.

Gary Craig, the developer of Emotional Freedom Techniques, has identified three basic forms of depression in his years of working with depressed clients.  The first is a “simple” form of depression which disappears in just a few minutes of energy treatment (this is the most common in my experience).  The second type has multiple components (shame, guilt, anger, fear, etc.) of unresolved emotions which take some skill and persistent application to identify and resolve.  And the third type seems to be caused by allergies or sensitivities to food or environment.  This often requires a higher level of “detective work” to identify the offending substance(s), but results in symptom relief when the substance is avoided.  (In cases where it is difficult to totally avoid the substance, EFT can be used to effectively “neutralize” the allergic reaction itself!)

EFT works extraordinarily well for depression, especially mild to moderate severity.  In more severe cases medication is often useful to help get the depression under control.  Then EFT is applied.  For a case history/testimonial of an actual depression case, click here.

DEPRESSION:

If you are ready to end your depression, click here.