Everyone experiences the blues sometime. After all, no one’s life is always happy go-lucky and problem-free. But when the blues stretch on for more than two weeks and start to interfere with daily living, then you may have depression. Your depression is unique; the condition shows up differently in each person. That’s why I tailor treatment for depression to your specific needs. I will listen with an open mind and heart to everything you say about what you are experiencing. Then, I will be able to recommend a depression treatment plan made just for you.
What is Depression?
According to the American Counseling Association, depression is actually a medical illness. It can affect you emotionally, physically and mentally. Yes, you may feel sad when you’re depressed, but the condition may also disrupt your ability to function at home, work or school.
What Are Common Symptoms of Depression?
Symptoms of depression can range from mild to severe, including:
- Sadness
- Lack of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
- A decrease or increase in appetite for no apparent reason
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Energy loss and extreme fatigue
- Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or guilt
- Trouble concentrating
- Thoughts of death or suicide
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need to talk to someone immediately, call 1-800-273-8255.
What Causes Depression?
More often than not, depression is the result of a combination of factors. Brain chemistry may be involved in the process, but I’ll want to hear about your life, too. Have you recently gone through a stressful life transition, such as the death of a loved one or job loss? For women confronting imposter syndrome, feeling like you’re not good enough at home or at work may contribute to depression. Medications taken to treat other medical illnesses including heart disease, diabetes and Parkinson’s may cause side effects that lead to depressive symptoms.
How is Depression Treated?
The course of treatment I use will depend on the specific circumstances of your depression. One possibility is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. This therapy focuses on changing thought patterns in order to change how you think and behave. We will identify and then discuss your core beliefs that could be causing some of your presenting concerns. Then, we will work together to replace these negative thoughts with more positive ones, so you can act in ways that are more congruent with leading a productive and happy life. CBT is also considered the gold standard for treating anxiety.
Another mode of treatment for depression is Solution Focused Therapy. With this method, we will not spend time delving into past events that may have brought on depression. Instead, I will ask you a series of question to determine what you want your life to be. Then, together we’ll set goals to help you create that life.
How Can I Help You?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of depression mentioned above, then please call or complete the online contact form. Let’s discuss how we can work together.