Depression treatment
are you sick of pretending that everything is okay?
Are you tired of putting on a happy face so that you don’t burden anyone else with your pain?
Do you feel like you’re always on the verge of falling to pieces?
Don’t suffer in silence anymore. Depression counseling can help you find a way out.
What is depression?
It’s not unusual to feel a wide range of emotions, including sadness, in response to what’s happening in one’s life. Feeling depressed can be a normal part of life, especially for people who have experienced loss or disappointment. However, there is cause for concern when symptoms of depression last longer than usual and start to impact one’s life in significant ways.
What does depression look like?
You might notice that you’re not as productive as you usually are at school/work and even worse, you have no motivation to get caught up. Your friends and family may notice you distancing yourself, repeatedly turning down invitations to hang out. You might feel like a burden to them, and prefer to spend time alone. You might feel so exhausted that it’s getting harder and harder to pull yourself out of bed in the morning. You may even wonder, what’s the point? Is there any purpose if I’m going to feel this way? In your darkest moments, you might even consider whether anyone would really miss you if you were gone…
Depression can be difficult to identify because it can look different for everyone. However, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for.
signs and symptoms of depression
Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
Sleep issues - sleeping too much or not enough
Lack of energy and motivation
Notable changes in appetite
Increased anger and agitation
Restlessness
Slowed thinking, speaking or moving
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Difficulty concentrating, indecision, forgetfulness
Thoughts related to death or suicide
Self-harm
Other unexplained physical pain
depression in children (ages 5-12)
Irritability
Clinginess
Increased worry
Aches and pains
Refusal to go to school
Depression in teens (ages 12-19)
Negative attitude and expressed worthlessness
Angry outbursts
Poor performance/attendance at school
Feeling misunderstood or sensitive to criticism
Using drugs or alcohol
Eating or sleeping too much or too little
Avoidance of social interactions
how does therapy help with depression?
Depression can be so far-reaching in the ways it impacts your life that it can feel pretty overwhelming to figure out how and where to start the healing process. Not to mention that depression often leaves you feeling an utter lack of motivation to do anything beyond what’s necessary to survive. On top of that, you may have felt depressed for so long that you can’t even remember what it feels like to be happy.
Many people who are depressed have the desire to feel better, but often wait longer than they should to start therapy because it’s so hard to take that first step. Everything feels like an uphill battle. You may have found yourself thinking: this feels so hopeless - how could therapy even help me?
The bottom line is: change is possible with therapy.
Once you start therapy for depression, it can provide you with the extra support you’ve needed all along. Recognizing that you’re no longer fighting depression alone can feel like a huge weight off your shoulders. It can be helpful for some clients to simply realize that they don’t have to carry such a heavy load all by themselves.
In our sessions together, we will:
examine how your thoughts, feelings and behaviors influence one another
discuss how making simple shifts in your thinking can bring significant relief
figure out what changes you need to make to start feeling better and how to best motivate you to follow through
consider your long-term goals to understand what’s important to you and your long-term happiness