Overview of Depression
If you or a loved one are experiencing depression, you are certainly not alone. Several studies have shown that a disheartening amount of individuals, especially in the United States, experience depression either regularly or occasionally. And, with the recent pandemic, these elevated rates have only worsened.
Depression can wreak havoc on several aspects of your life, from your physical and emotional health, to your social life and beyond. That’s why I’m here at Moore Hope Counseling to provide therapy for depression both online and in-person, using the most effective treatment methods. With my continuous support and guidance, I’m here to walk with you side-by-side to help you truly overcome depression and live the extraordinary, happy life you deserve.
In therapy, we will work on pinpointing and modifying the unhealthy thought patterns, beliefs, or circumstances that are promoting your depression; implementing important skills into everyday life, such as emotional regulation; and more. So, if depression is preventing you or a loved one from truly living, take the first step towards freedom and happiness by scheduling a consultation with me today!
Keep reading to learn more about depression, why therapy can help, the strategies I use to help you overcome it, and more.
What Is Depression?
Depression negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. More specifically, depression causes persistent feelings of sadness, which subsequently causes a variety of other negative effects, such as a loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed or changes in appetite.
Symptoms of Depression
There are a wide range of symptoms of depression that can vary from mild to severe. The most common symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sadness or depressed moods
- Loss of energy or feeling more fatigued than usual
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you previously enjoyed
- Changes in appetite, leading to weight loss or gain that is unrelated to dieting
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Noticeably slowed movements or speech
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
- Invasive thoughts of about death or suicide
Those who experience depression usually describe feeling a heavy weight of sadness and anxiety that they just can’t seem to shake off. Others describe it as feeling like you are constantly drowning, feeling powerless to your thoughts, or feeling like you’ve lost yourself. According to the American Psychiatric Association, one or more of these symptoms must persist for at least two weeks for an official diagnosis.
The Difference Between Depression and Sadness or Grief
Although they can be difficult to distinguish between, depression is not to be confused with sadness or grief.
Generally, sadness or grief develops in response to a particular situation, such as the death of a loved one, the ending of a relationship, or loss of a job, and is a very natural response. With grief, the feelings of sadness come in waves and there is usually no effect on one’s self-esteem. On the other hand, with depression, the feelings of sadness are persistent for the majority of at least two weeks. In addition, the self-esteem of an individual experiencing depression is greatly decreased and feelings of worthlessness or self-loathing are prevalent.
Depression and grief can co-exist, however. This is why it’s important to visit a mental health professional to properly access and diagnose what is going on, and receive optimal support and treatment.
The Effects of Depression
Due to the withdrawn and depressed nature of depression, it can really wreak havoc on many aspects of one’s life. The following are just a few of the areas which depression can harm:
Mental Health
With depression usually comes low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, and a flood of negative thoughts each day. This can really damage your mental health and alter the way you view yourself and others.
Emotional Health
The primary indicator of depression is a persistent feeling of sadness. This sadness, accompanied by other negative feelings, such as loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, loss of interest in life, and loss of hope inevitably damages your emotional well-being.
Physical Health
With all of the tumultuous symptoms of depression, it can cause a variety of negative physical effects, as well. Headaches, exhaustion, trouble sleeping and excessive weight loss or gain or just a few of these harmful effects.
How to Overcome Depression
You or your loved one can absolutely overcome your depression and live the happy life you deserve.
But, you may be asking the question, “How?”
Many behavioral health providers have compiled a number of proven ways to overcome depression without the use of medication. Some of these ways are listed below:
- Try to develop a daily routine for yourself
- Set daily goals
- Exercise
- Eat healthy
- Try to take on responsibilities
- Challenge your negative thoughts
- Try new things
- Avoid alcohol and other drugs
While being intentional about executing these lifestyle changes each day is a promising way to overcome depression, the most thorough, effective, and timely way to overcome depression is through therapy.
Keep reading to discover exactly why this is.
Why Therapy Works in the Treatment of Depression
It is important to understand that there is no “one size fits all” way to overcome depression. No two human beings are the same, nor have they had the same set of life experiences, which means that what works for one person may not work for another. Furthermore, with most cases of depression, individuals may find it very difficult to gather themselves enough to create a plan of action, let alone develop the discipline to stick to it. This is why therapy for depression is so helpful.
I provide therapy services in Omaha, Nebraska, both in-person and telehealth. All clients receive Individualized treatment catered specifically towards you or your loved one’s needs. With therapy, I am able to access your unique situation and develop an effective, manageable, and timely plan of action to help you overcome depression and live your life to the fullest. Additionally, with professional therapy for depression, there’s no guesswork of trying different “cures” you’ve seen online. Your road to freedom and happiness is outlined for you. And, you have a tremendous amount of support and encouragement from a mental health professionals along the way.
My Treatment Strategies for Depression
There are several effective treatment strategies for depression that I utilize during therapy sessions.
One of the most effective and common treatment options for depression is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The goal of this form of treatment is to identify and modify the unhealthy thought patterns, beliefs, or circumstances that are contributing to the depression in order to help alleviate it. This is done by discovering and fixing distorted perceptions, implementing effective ways of responding to stressors, practicing appropriate self-talk, and other similar activities and exercises. Ultimately, this can lead to enhanced moods, beliefs about yourself, and outlooks on your overall life.
In conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I also use other effective methods, such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, to provide comprehensive treatment for depression. In short, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy helps you learn important life skills, like regulating emotional distress and practicing mindfulness, that help you successfully manage the ups and downs of life.
It’s Time to Overcome Your Depression and Start Feeling Your Best. Start Your Therapy Today!
Don’t put off feeling your best any longer. No matter how difficult or impossible the journey towards healing seems, I’m here to help you or a loved one overcome depression and triumph on the other side of it. So, contact me to schedule your consultation now!
