Depression feels weighty, hopeless and unending. You feel like you drag yourself through your day, doing what is necessary but nothing more. There is no energy to feel motivated, to feel excited, to feel.....anything. It's like nothing will ever feel pleasurable, interesting or good ever again. 19 million Americans feel this way, but many don't ever seek treatment. It can be really hard to admit to yourself that you might need some help, but it is actually a sign of strength. Give yourself a pat on the back for wanting more from your life. It can change.
Signs of Depression.
Sad, Empty, Unhappy - you feel dissatisfied, like a failure, nothing has any meaning and these feelings last for weeks or months.
Happy Face - you make sure that you always appear happy no matter how you feel. You feel a need to hide your true feelings from others.
Funky Sleeping Patterns - you either sleep to much or don't sleep enough. You suffer from insomnia or have trouble getting out of bed.
Worthlessness - you feel a sense of worthlessness and feel guilty about things that are not your responsibility.
Anger & Irritability - you often feel extremely irritable and even little things can cause you to feel really angry.
Purpose - you are seeking meaning and purpose in your life and you need to know that what you are doing is worthwhile.
Thoughts of death - this includes thoughts/plans of suicide, feeling it would be 'fine' if you got hit by a car, or thoughts about dying that keep coming back.
Therapy for Depression
Depression responds really well to talk therapy and other forms of evidence based practices. Your therapy will look different from anyone else's as we work to make changes both in your thinking and in your behaviors. I take a gentle and direct approach that focuses on ways to get you feeling better as soon as possible and then diving deeply into the roots of your feelings. We explore your childhood, past experiences and well as focusing on your goals, values, purpose and passions.
The real purpose of alleviating your depression symptoms is to be able to live the life you've imagined.
