Depression Therapy

Depression Symptoms Can Be All-Consuming

Maybe you experience disruptions in your normal sleeping and eating habits or find that you can no longer maintain focus. Along with lacking energy, you may experience chronic aches and pains throughout your body. What was once easy for you may now seem difficult, to the point that you no longer enjoy pleasurable pastimes, activities, or social gatherings with friends. To block your feelings of sadness and hopelessness, you might engage in reckless behaviors. Perhaps you use alcohol, drugs, porn, shopping, gambling, or working to excess to distract yourself from difficult emotions. However, deep down you can’t shake off the feeling of worthlessness and being trapped. Even though it’s not your fault you’re depressed, you might still feel guilty, convincing yourself there are no valid reasons to feel as low as you do. You probably wish that you would just wake up one morning and miraculously feel better. But depression doesn’t work that way. Luckily, with the help and support that therapy offers, you can learn more about depression and understand how to manage symptoms when they occur.

Many Adults Are Affected By Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States among adults aged 18 or older, according to a 2020 study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). According to the report, “an estimated 21.0 million adults—or 8.4 percent of the adult population—had at least one major depressive episode in 2020.” The impact of depression is far-reaching. In addition to affecting us emotionally, depression can negatively impact our personal life, relationships, and career. Although we each might experience different symptoms—from sadness to anger to indifference to reckless behavior—when left untreated, depression can be debilitating.

The Reasons We Suffer From Depression Vary

Depression can be brought on by both internal and external influences. If it runs in the family, we may be genetically predisposed to clinical depression and require therapy. Difficult life circumstances can also trigger our depression. The death of a loved one or other life transitions, such as having a baby or going through a divorce, can cause us to feel sad, lonely, isolated, or overwhelmed. Recently, the forced isolation of the Covid pandemic led to a worldwide uptick in depression. When we lost connection with others and were no longer able to participate in the activities we enjoyed, many of us withdrew further. Unfortunately, the ensuing isolation of the Covid shutdown became the perfect condition for depression to proliferate globally. We may believe that eventually, our depression will lift on its own if only we are patient. Or we might compare our circumstances to others, trying to convince ourselves the reasons we’re depressed aren’t justified. However, minimizing our feelings will end up keeping us stuck. If you suspect you have depression, counseling can be a road back to wellness. With proper treatment, you can learn effective ways to manage depression symptoms so they no longer interfere with your happiness.

Depression Therapy May Hold The Answers You’re Looking For

If you’ve been suffering in silence, you’re probably feeling lonely and isolated. Therapy is a safe space that allows you to open up without fear of judgment and explore the root causes of your depression. We are here to give you the support and reassurance you need. Your counselor will be able to help you make sense of your symptoms and teach you effective ways to overcome depression. They will also work alongside any other providers involved in your care to ensure your depression treatment is well-coordinated and determine if medication or other community support like group therapy could help.