DEPRESSION
Depression is a very strong emotion, of which anxiety is a very strong component. It is often attributed to an imbalance or disturbance of two chemicals (or neurotransmitters) in the brain i.e. serotonin and norepinephrine. Norepineprhine is the chemical responsible for generating changes during a "fight or flight" situation (like fear, stress, loss of control). Serotonin is the chemical that binds to receptors on brain cells to regulate emotion, anxiety, stress, hormones and other bodily functions. Our serotonin levels fluctuate constantly, and are correlated with the effectiveness of the way we are living our lives. Low serotonin levels are an index that one's life is not "working". Our needs (for security, control, meaning, intimacy etc.) are not being met. We may feel stuck, exhausted, low, unable to focus or motivate ourselves. Thoughts keep going around and around in our heads. We may feel overwhelmed, useless, sad, and sometimes even ill. So the solution is to find ways to fulfill our needs and get our lives working again.
You can learn how to use an assortment of "tools" to help you make changes, to move away from negative thinking and emotional introspection, to connect with others, modify your responses, solve problems and use your imagination in a creative and positive way.