You were given this life because you are STRONG ENOUGH to live it.
Has Depression Taken All of Your Energy and Motivation Away?
Does it seem like you’re going through the motions of life? Are you struggling with apathy, numbness, and lack of motivation? Do you feel like you’re just surviving instead of really living?
Maybe you’ve been spending more time alone and withdrawing from friends and family. As much as you want to have fun and engage in social activities, you probably have no energy to. Even small chores may seem like insurmountable tasks. Getting out of bed may seem impossible. Perhaps you’ve thought about seeing a depression therapist but worry that you’ll have no motivation to work through your struggles.
Depression Makes You Want To Curl Up And Put Off All Your Responsibilities
If you want to regain the energy to do what you love and start feeling like yourself again, we encourage you to connect with us. Here at Hillary Counseling, our goal is to help you improve your mood, get to the root of your depression, and feel happier about who you are.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Roughly 280 million people suffer from depression and it’s the number one cause of disability in the world. Yet in many ways depression is silent and invisible—many people who struggle with it don’t seem depressed on the surface. They go out about their lives without anyone knowing how sad and empty they feel. This makes depression such a lonely experience.
People who are depressed report a variety of symptoms. Some signs of depression include:
- Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy.
- Sleeping much more or much less than you used to.
- A persistent feeling of sadness, despair, and emptiness.
- A decrease in energy.
- Difficulty concentrating and getting things done.
- Appetite or weight changes.
- Thoughts of death or suicide (if you are currently contemplating suicide, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255).
- Irritability.
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
- Teariness or more frequent crying.
- Body aches, headaches, and digestive problems.
- Anxiety.
If you have been feeling several of the above symptoms for over two weeks, you may have depression. Before assuming that you have depression, we recommend consulting with a depression therapist.
Note that there are different types of depression, as well:
- Major Depression. People who struggle with major depression display symptoms of depression (like the ones we’ve listed above) for at least two weeks.
- Persistent Depressive Disorder. Those with persistent depressive disorder have been struggling with symptoms of depression for two years or longer.
- Postpartum Depression. After birth, some women suffer from postpartum depression. In addition to the symptoms that we listed above, these women can also feel overwhelmed and experience mood swings.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Seasonal affective disorder typically occurs during the winter months since darker weather triggers SAD. The symptoms are the same, but SAD comes and goes with the seasons.
People experience and describe depression in different ways, but if any of this sounds like your experience, consult with a therapist or medical professional to discuss ways to feel better.
Therapy Can Give You A Toolbox Of Skills For Managing Depression
Therapy provides a framework for understanding your depression, tools for counteracting your symptoms, and a supportive relationship so that you don’t feel alone. Early sessions are usually very practical and focus on symptom relief and reduction. Once your symptoms have lessened, you and your counselor can begin exploring the root of your depression and looking at the habits in your life that reinforce it.
The long-term goal of therapy is to address and remove the obstacles in your way so that you can get back to healthy functioning. We want you to be able to manage your depression symptoms when you’re outside of sessions, allowing you to effectively be your own therapist.
Treatment Approaches for Depression:
There are many ways to treat depression. We take a holistic approach to depression treatment. So, we suggest treatments that address all parts of your life and emphasize an interconnectedness between mind, body, and wellness.
We are passionate about offering treatments based in research that are designed and found to be effective for depression. Treatment approaches for depression that we specialize in include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness and acceptance based therapies (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), emotion focused therapy, and stress management.
We will help you learn how to identify negative patterns of thinking, feeling, and living to help you move toward a greater sense of peace and purpose.
You Don’t Have To Manage Depression Alone.
Depression thrives in isolation. By making the choice to talk to a therapist about your struggles, you’re giving yourself a chance to experience real healing and relief.
What’s the real cause of depression?
There is no one real cause of depression; it’s different for everyone. Depression is a complicated mental illness. As a result, we can’t point to one thing that triggers a season of depression.
Often, multiple factors cause depression and are usually a combination of genetic, biological, mental, emotional, and situational factors. Researchers think that several factors contribute to its development, including:
- Brain chemistry: An imbalance of neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, contributes to the development of depression.
- Genetics: If you have a first-degree relative (biological parent or sibling) with depression, you’re about three times as likely to develop the condition as the general population. However, you can have depression without a family history of it.
- Stressful life events: Difficult experiences, such as the death of a loved one, trauma, divorce, isolation and lack of support, major life transition, can trigger depression.
- Medical conditions: Chronic pain and chronic conditions like diabetes can lead to depression.
- Medication: Some medications can cause depression as a side effect. Substance use, including alcohol, can also cause depression or make it worse.
How does depression treatment work?
Depression counseling typically consists of 50-minute one-on-one sessions designed to help you address your concerns and work through challenges. Our counselors combine active listening with insights from research to help you understand what’s happening and explore the thoughts, feelings, family history, and environmental factors contributing to your anxiety.
Here’s what you can expect:
- A Safe, Supportive Space: From the start, we create a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where you’ll feel comfortable sharing your struggles.
- Understanding Your Story: By hearing about your life history and experiences, we begin to gain a clear understanding of your unique challenges.
- Tackling Immediate Concerns: We’ll start by helping you manage difficult emotions and navigate challenging situations you may be facing right now.
- Identifying Your Goals: Together, we’ll explore what you want to achieve in therapy and in life, helping you set meaningful goals.
- Building a Roadmap for Progress: With your personal goals in mind, we’ll develop a plan to help you reach them, using proven therapeutic techniques.
- Ongoing Improvement: Over time, you’ll begin to notice positive changes in how you think, feel, and behave.
Research shows that depression counseling can lead to lasting changes in your thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors, helping you overcome what’s holding you back from living a more fulfilling life.
How long does depression therapy usually last?
We don’t have a requirement for a specific number of therapy sessions that you have to attend. The length of therapy varies based on individual needs, goals, and the issues being addressed.
We recommend that you plan to engage in weekly therapy sessions for about 12 to 16 weeks. This consistent approach helps build a strong foundation for exploring your history, understanding the origins of your depression, gaining insight into yourself, and developing a personalized plan with effective coping strategies.
After that initial period, depending on your progress and the severity of your symptoms, the frequency of sessions may be adjusted.
Some clients may reduce to bi-weekly sessions, while others may continue with weekly sessions if needed. Your therapist will work with you to tailor the treatment plan based on your needs and goals.
Do you prescribe medication for depression?
No, we do not prescribe medication for depression at Hillary Counseling. However, if medication is something you’re interested in, we will offer referrals to a medical professional, psychiatrist or nurse practitioner, who can assess your needs and discuss medication options.
Our primary focus is on providing therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), emotion focused therapy, mindfulness techniques, and other strategies to help manage depression.
