Different people experience depression in different ways. Symptoms, triggers, intensity, duration, and even the type of depression vary. Customized therapy for depression tailors treatment to your experience and your needs.
Depression: The Darkest Shade of “The Blues”
Imagine waking every day to dark clouds. The sun remains hidden day in and day out. Even the lighting in your home seems muted as if snuffed by an unseen hand.
That is depression. If you are struggling with depression right now, you understand the metaphor very well.
You already know that everyday routines are an epic struggle. Family, friends, and colleagues go about their daily lives, often oblivious to your suffering, and those who do notice do their best to lift your spirits. Yet, somehow you feel increasingly worse.
Do you feel like you do not matter? When people are depressed, there is a sense of permanence, as if you will always feel this way.
You are not alone
If this is you, know that you are not alone. Worldwide, more than 264 million people from all walks of life and every age struggle with depression.
Fortunately, depression is highly treatable. You can recover and you can feel more alive, more vibrant, and live better. You do not have to do it alone; I am here for you. Call me today at (312) 899-1120.
To learn more, read about seven ways I can help you recover from depression.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
Depression is often severe; knowing the sign of depression can be lifesaving. If not addressed promptly, symptoms can intensify, sending you into a downward spiral of despair.
If you or someone you love is experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-medicating in an attempt to ease the pain, this is a warning sign that help is needed. Please call me at (312) 899‑1120.
- Isolation
- Change in appetite
- Persistent sadness
- Inability to concentrate
- Sense of hopelessness
- Disruption in sleep/Insomnia
- Uncontrollable emotions/crying for “no reason.”
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Lethargy
- Feeling worthless
- Increased irritability
- Trouble concentrating and making decisions
- Physical problems
A major depressive or bipolar episode disrupts our routines and prevents us from really living our lives, often paralyzing, even causing us to lose touch with reality. All motivation is gone; it is impossible to get ourselves out of bed, dressed, or attempt to go to work. Depression robs us of our ability to love or receive love, our body aches, overcome by hopelessness and despair; we cannot imagine or construct a future for ourselves.
What triggers depression?
The causes of depression can be myriad, ranging from external events to physiological conditions. Common triggers for depression include:
01
Trauma or Abuse
Sudden loss, a traumatic event, long or short term abuse (which is traumatic), including emotional or sexual abuse, can all result in a sustained battle with depression.
02
Stressful Life Events
Including loss (the end of a relationship, losing a job, grief/bereavement), transitions (moving to a new city/country, retiring, having a child), loneliness, or events out of our control that upend our lives – such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
03
Illness or disease
Any disease can impact our mental health and brain chemistry, resulting in depression. Some medications can cause people to suffer from depression.
04
Substance abuse
Alcohol or drug abuse is often a factor in depressive disorders. Substance abuse is often an attempt to self-medicate and relieve feelings of depression or anxiety. In other cases, substance abuse leads to depression.
05
Conflict
Personal conflicts can easily cause our relationships to suffer, resulting in a narcissistic injury.
06
Negative thinking patterns
blaming yourself, automatically seeing the worst, discounting your achievements, taking things personally.
I believe in you, and the only way to heal is for you to believe you can do it. I will support you as you go through the stages of grieving while helping you discover how you can move on and feel better.
What are the types of depression?
While there are numerous types of depression, the seven most common are:
01
Major Depressive Disorder
Characterized by severe and severe symptoms lasting more than two weeks.
02
Dysthymia
Characterized by chronic mild to moderate symptoms, occurring most days for a period exceeding two years.
03
Bi-Polar Disorder (BPD)
Characterized by periods of weeks or months of either depression or mania.
04
Postpartum Depression
the onset of symptoms following the birth &the delivery of a child.
05
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
This is a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS); characterized by disruption of daily tasks during the week before menstruation and ending within a few days of the onset menses.
06
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Symptoms that appear during certain times of the year or around holidays.
07
Atypical Depression
Characterized by how certain events can result in a “lifting” of depressive symptoms, tricking someone into thinking they are not, in fact suffering from depression.
Expert Strategies
Overcome the patterns that sustain depression. Learn to prevent relapse.
In therapy, you can get support to:
- Get back your energy and ambition.
- Regain and build your self-worth.
- Stop ruminating on what’s wrong and re-engage with life.
- Learn practical skills. You can learn to make better decisions.
- Build stronger, more enduring, and healthier relationships.
- Get moving become more active.
- Break free from self-critical thoughts.
- Change the negative ways you think about yourself and how you think others feel about you.
- Stop fixating on how other people perceive you and emerge from patterns of despair.
- Stop isolating yourself, reconnect, re-engage with your partner, colleagues, friends, and family.
- Stop relying on alcohol or drugs to numb the pain of depression.
- Become a better version of yourself and reach your potential.
How it works – what you can expect in therapy
Building a roadmap out of depression
The depressed mind often feels lost & without direction. I will be your supportive, friendly, and knowledgeable guide.
Beginning in our initial session, we will clarify how you will know when your depression is gone. By identifying your destination, we will create clear goals to get you there.
Becoming empowered with practical strategies
When depressed, it is common to feel like you just don’t care. You may not believe that a better life is possible. In the beginning stage of therapy, I empower you with new strategies to use immediately.
With these strategies, you will attain insight and enhanced self-awareness. You will develop cutting-edge skills, tools, and strategies to transcend your depressive cycle and prevent relapse.
We will address the most critical, challenging parts of “depression” that sustain its power
- Lack of motivation.
- Rigid thinking and negative beliefs. You can learn ways to “bump” and prevent internalizing destructive thought patterns and ideas.
- Rumination. You can learn specific strategies to control rumination, enabling you to get you out of your head and into your life.
- Trauma.
Applying evidence-based tools; building practical skills
According to the latest research in brain and neuroscience, mindfulness skills and practice are powerful strategies to grow new brain fibers. Mindfulness can be an important coping skill in shifting out of depression.
In therapy, you will learn the meaning of mindfulness, develop core and advanced mindfulness skills, and build the tools to slowly develop a mindfulness practice.
Relapse plan – bolster your resilience
If you have experienced depression, you are likely to experience future episodes of depression. In therapy, you can learn tools to overcome your depression and take action if you experience future episodes.
Mindfulness and other tools can equip you to recognize and manage future recurrences. You can also take steps to make yourself less vulnerable to recurrence.
As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, we will explore holistic and alternative approaches that can make you more resilient. These may include acupuncture, meditation, nutrition, exercise, and light therapy.
Holistic health and depression. Did you know that:
- Mindfulness and meditation change how your brain responds to stress and anxiety. They can reduce the intensity and frequency of depressive episodes.
- Healthy eating habits are associated with a decreased risk of depression
- Exercise can help prevent mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression and certain stimulate.
- Light therapy, which helps regulate the hormone melatonin, is beneficial for sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
5 questions to ask yourself
To decide whether you should seek therapy, ask yourself the following five questions:
- Am I sad or angry for “no reason” or just not myself?
- Am I using food, alcohol, sex, or drugs to cope with my life?
- Am I just unable to “get past” the loss of a job or someone I loved?
- Have I experienced some kind of trauma that will not leave me alone, keeps resurfacing, and causes me continued difficulty?
- Do I no longer enjoy life, or no longer attain pleasure from the activities I used to enjoy?
If any of these questions describe what you are going through, it may be time to seek professional support. I would like to help. Call me at (312) 899-1120.