Depression and the Catatonic Brain by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
Individuals living with depression can have trouble concentrating and making decisions. For some, this experience is severe enough to where their mind and thoughts are blank.
What does it look like?
Imagine that you’re on a fitness bicycle and someone is slowly and steadily increasing the resistance so that it becomes harder and harder to move your legs. This is the experience of the individual trying to think when they are experiencing a depressive episode. You may see the individual with eyes wide open and still body posture as they try to decide on a task, such as what to make for dinner. Others may notice that when asking the individual questions, they’re having to wait a long time for an answer.
What to do
Seek assistance: ask a loved one to help in during those moments and make the small decisions for you. Depending on the severity of your thinking difficulty and the decision you’re trying to make, your loved one may or may not know that you’re currently experiencing this difficulty. Let your loved one know and ask if they can help you decide on the task at hand.
Get Support: speak with a mental health professional. This can include a psychiatrist and/or therapist. Therapy will assist the individual in learning about depression, how they can manage it, and problem solve situations that are difficult. A psychiatrist is a trained medical doctor who can make recommendations on medications. Some find that taking medications manages symptoms enough to where they can use the strategies and problem-solving skills learned in therapy.
Rule out anything medical: describe your symptoms to your primary care physician. The physician will ask you follow up questions to help determine if your experience might be linked with a medical condition.
Want to know more?
You don’t have to do this alone. I specialize in treating depression. If you are interested in receiving therapy with me, let’s schedule a free 15-minute phone consult.
(Note: This video was filmed when my office was at a previous location. I am now in Irvine, CA)
My office is located in Irvine, which is near Newport Beach, Orange, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Tustin, Seal Beach, and beyond. I work with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and Asian American & Pacific Islanders.
Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. The topics being discussed are meant as a self-help tool for you own use. It is not psychotherapy or counseling. This information is to be used based on your own judgment. If you need to speak with a professional, you should find one local to you and contact them directly.
**IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBER OR GO TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. **