“Nobody ever tells you that emptiness weighs the most.”
– Unknown
Depression counseling is urgent if you feel helpless, hopeless and worthless. More than just being sad, down or feeling a little blue, depression can be pervasive, disruptive and disorienting. It can interrupt our ability to concentrate, and make decisions. Feeling apathetic towards activities, people, and things which used to interest you. Depression can also look like irritability, anger, outbursts, and disconnection in your relationships.
When should I seek depression therapy?
Reasons for Depression Counseling, when depression:
- interferes with your daily life, and
- creates an inability to concentrate and/or make decisions
- is causing problems at work.
- your hopeless and helpless feelings are creating disconnection in your relationships
- you lose interest in activities which used to hold meaning for you
- your anger feels turned inward and you are experiencing moodiness, irritable and outbursts
- Seek IMMEDIATE help if your feeling of depression have you thinking about hurting yourself or someone else. Please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency medical center for an evaluation.
Types of Depression
Mild Depression
Or Dysthymia
Symptoms present for 6 months, include:
- Continuous low mood or sadness
- Feeling hopeless and helpless
- Having low self-esteem
- Feeling tearful
Major Depression
5 or more symptoms present for 2 weeks, include:
- depressed mood, sadness
- feeling hopeless
- low self-esteem
- decrease or increase in appetite,
- insomnia or hypersomnia,
- psychomotor (movement) agitation or retardation (slowing down),
- constant fatigue,
- cognitive difficulties, such as, diminished ability to think, concentrate and take decisions.
- feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt,
- recurrent thoughts of death and suicidal ideation with or without specific plans for committing suicide
Postpartum Depression
is more than just the “baby blues” which often last just a few days. Depression during pregnancy is a subset of these issues. After delivery, postpartum depression may begin up to a year later.
Postpartum depressions symptoms include:
- Depressed mood or severe mood swings
- Excessive crying
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Fear that you’re not a good mother, nor ever will be
- Withdrawing from family and friends when they offer help
- Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
- Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much
- Overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy
- Reduced interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Intense irritability and anger
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
- Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
- Restlessness
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide – You may call 988 for immediate help with suicidal thoughts!
SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder
Heading to winter often doesn’t always mean holidays, excitement and snow play. For some people cold, cloudy days means even more than just feeling blue or lacking energy, SAD might show as persistent, pervasive symptoms of depression. Depression counseling can help with symptoms include being sad, angry or easily irritable most of the day nearly every day; lack of interest in activities once enjoyed; difficulty concentrating; persistent tiredness; lack of energy; and, in some cases, feeling that life isn’t worth living or having suicidal thoughts.
Sometimes, people with SAD crave carbohydrates and eat more, which often causes weight gain. This may get worse as winter progresses. Storing calories during the winter can be good for some hibernating animals but for people, it can bring out the bear in them.
Depression counseling is urgent if you feel helpless, hopeless and worthless. More than just being sad, down or feeling a little blue, depression can be pervasive, disruptive and disorienting. It can interrupt our ability to concentrate, and make decisions. Feeling apathetic towards activities, people, and things which used to interest you. Depression can also look like irritability, anger, outbursts, and disconnection in your relationships.
When should I seek depression therapy?
Reasons for Depression Counseling, when depression:
- interferes with your daily life, and
- creates an inability to concentrate and/or make decisions
- is causing problems at work.
- your hopeless and helpless feelings are creating disconnection in your relationships
- you lose interest in activities which used to hold meaning for you
- your anger feels turned inward and you are experiencing moodiness, irritable and outbursts
- Seek IMMEDIATE help if your feeling of depression have you thinking about hurting yourself or someone else. Please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency medical center for an evaluation.
Receiving treatment for depression involves a comprehensive approach tailored to each individual’s unique needs and circumstances. If you experience symptoms of depression such as persistent sadness, lack of motivation, withdrawal from others, changes in appetite, or even thoughts of suicide, it is important to acknowledge that you are not alone. According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression affects a significant portion of the population, with one in 15 adults experiencing it in a given year and one in six people experiencing it at some point in their lives.
To begin your journey towards treatment, it is recommended to seek professional help from a depression therapist or counselor. They are trained to help individuals navigate this difficult period and provide support in a confidential and non-judgmental environment. During therapy sessions, your therapist will assist you in identifying the underlying causes of your depression, resolving any issues that may contribute to it, and helping you find hope even when everything else seems to be failing or falling apart.
Depending on your specific situation, your therapist may also suggest additional treatment options. This can involve a referral to see a physician for medication management, considering lifestyle changes such as incorporating mindfulness techniques or exercise, or finding new hobbies and interests as positive, stress-reducing outlets. The aim is to create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your unique strengths, weaknesses, and needs.
Throughout your therapy journey, your therapist will work with you to establish realistic goals and guide, support, and challenge you in a supportive manner to make necessary changes in your life. It is important to remember that everyone’s story is different, and as such, the approach to depression treatment may vary. Therefore, your treatment plan will be individualized to ensure it is most beneficial for your specific situation.
Taking the step to seek treatment for depression is a courageous one, and it signifies your willingness to prioritize your mental health and well-being. Remember, there is hope, and with the right support and guidance, you can find a path out of depression and towards a more fulfilling life.