Depression Treatment
Is The Burden Of Depression Weighing Down On You?
Are you finding it difficult to become motivated, hopeful, or inspired?
Have you lost interest in fun and fulfilling parts of life?
These days, does it feel like you use all of your energy to complete even the most basic tasks?
Often compared to a “fog” or “dark cloud,” depression has a way of casting a shadow over every aspect of life. Whether you’ve lost the drive to succeed at work or school, or you’ve withdrawn from the activities and relationships that were once a source of joy in your life, depression may have led you to question if you’ll ever be happy or satisfied again.
Certain Symptoms Signal Depression
Alongside a low mood and general feelings of malaise, depression manifests in a variety of emotional, physical, and cognitive symptoms, including:
Fatigue
Not sleeping enough or sleeping too much
Loss of appetite or overeating
Reduced productivity
Feelings of low self-worth
Difficulty concentrating
Memory problems
Poor hygiene
Thoughts of suicide
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms—especially those involving self-harm—it’s important to seek help right away. Depression makes it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it is treatable with therapeutic interventions. Through depression treatment, you can achieve a new experience of your daily life and begin to feel like your normal self again.
Depression Is The Most Common Mental Health Issue Globally
While depression perpetuates feelings of extreme loneliness and isolation, those struggling are not alone in their experience. In fact, within the mental health community, it’s widely agreed that depression is the “leading cause of disability worldwide.”¹ When it comes to the US, in particular, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that close to 5 percent of the American population regularly experience symptoms of depression.²
All of us go through bouts of sadness and decreased motivation in response to life’s losses and disappointments. But when depression symptoms get so severe that they impact daily life or indicate suicidal thinking, it’s important to seek the support of a skilled therapist.
So, Where Does Depression Come From?
Depression may stem from early life issues, present day issues, a family history of depression, or any combination of the above. There is no singular definitive answer, but there is much we can understand as we come to know more about your personal history.
Given the everyday demands that are placed on us in modern society, there are very few avenues for meaningful, reparative self-care within our lives. Social media breeds a comparison culture that keeps us dissatisfied with our accomplishments. And our atmosphere of consumerism reinforces the belief that as long as we are productive, “successful,” and in possession of the “right things”—a home, a family, and a good job—then we will automatically be happy.
Yet, when we experience very normal feelings of sadness and disappointment, it can be easy to feel like something is wrong with us. Not to mention, when we have all the “right things,” we develop the belief that we don’t have the right to feel bad. This belief stems from a mental health stigma that is prevalent in our society. We may feel ashamed for asking for support or deterred from seeking help in the first place. When the self-doubts driven by depression pair with a lack of energy to complete even the most basic tasks, the idea of starting therapy might seem next to impossible.
But depression treatment is an opportunity to let go of some of the expectations placed on us by ourselves, our families, and society in general. Counseling affords you time to simply be so that you can explore symptoms and overcome depression.
My Approach To Depression Treatment
You may not have many safe spaces in your life where you can feel free to discuss sadness, shame, anger, emptiness, and guilt—these emotions can often be considered taboo or burdensome to others. However, in therapy with me, there is no pressure to be the “perfect” patient. I welcome all of your emotions, including the most difficult ones, so that we can collaborate on effective, lasting solutions together.
The Therapeutic Process
The first step of depression treatment is a thorough psychiatric evaluation that will allow me to better understand your symptoms and goals for therapy. This is also an opportunity to learn more about my style as a therapist and discuss any questions or concerns you might have about depression treatment. Our initial session(s) are considered a consultation, so if we determine that my approach won’t benefit you, I will make sure you have the resources you need for alternative options.
From there, if we continue treatment together, we will work on uncovering the roots of your depression. This part of the counseling process can sometimes feel like opening up old wounds that you thought had healed, but those wounds will provide us with tremendous insight into your upbringing, early relationships, and the development of self-beliefs over time. Throughout this period of treatment, we will rely deeply on the healing quality of the therapist-patient relationship itself, offering a chance to feel safe, supported, and hopeful that positive change can take place.
My treatment approach is customized to the needs of each patient, and the process is highly collaborative. Psychodynamic therapy and attachment theory will help us understand what has influenced your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We may also assess how activities like exercise and other daily habits can improve your mood. Yet, regardless of the techniques used in therapy, my approach to depression treatment is supportive and solution-focused—designed to meet you exactly where you are in your journey.
Antidepressants May Be A Good Option For You
In addition to being a therapist, I am also a licensed nurse practitioner (NP), which means I am qualified to prescribe medication. If it’s decided that medication would benefit your treatment plan, or if you are currently on antidepressants and looking for support with medication management, then I will work with you to determine the best medication and dosage. However, you will never be expected to go on medication unless you want to.
Depression has possibly made you feel inadequate and burdensome, but therapy is an opportunity to take up space and feel accepted as you are. By fostering more compassion and patience with yourself, a major transformation is possible. Whereas before, the smallest tasks seemed unmanageable, depression treatment is a gateway to newfound energy and zest for life. Through our work together in counseling, you can get back what depression has taken away.
Still Unsure If Treatment Is Right For You?
Talking about my problems in therapy will just make my depression worse.
This worry is common, and many folks struggling with depression develop the belief that treatment is a waste of time. I know from personal and professional experience, however, that building a warm, authentic relationship with a therapist is incredibly healing. Reflecting on your depression symptoms is essential to psychotherapy, and counseling gives you concrete skills and insights to manage those symptoms. Using these skills is a proven path toward improved mood and overall emotional wellness.
My family/friends say that to feel better, I just have to improve my diet, exercise more, and get quality sleep.
If there was a simple, straightforward solution to depression, you—and everyone else struggling—would probably feel better already. The reality is that depression has compromised your ability to help yourself, and you are likely searching for a therapist because you understand on some level that you need help from outside, unbiased support. I will work with you and customize treatment in a way that promotes real, lasting change.
It's hard to justify spending money on a therapist.
Money is often a stressful and complex topic; I can understand why the prospect of therapy might exacerbate some of your financial fears and anxieties. That said, depression has taken away your ability to feel motivated and find joy in life. Counseling enables you to overcome those symptoms of depression so you can feel satisfied and fulfilled again—and that is priceless.
You Can Feel Better
Depression casts a cloud over life, but therapy can help you find your way out of the darkness. To schedule a free consultation or find out more about my approach to depression treatment, call (719) 626 – 1338.