John didn’t know what was wrong with him. He’d never acted like such a jerk in his life. He just felt irritable all the time and couldn’t seem to control his aggressive behavior. He found himself cursing out bad drivers on the road. He found himself snapping at his wife for no reason, upsetting her and their children. And he no longer wanted to attend games of the rec league soccer team that he used to enjoy playing for. He’d started having headaches that started the minute he woke up in the morning and didn’t seem to abate until he started drinking beer in the evening. And he was drinking more and more frequently. John felt that he needed help, but from whom?
John could definitely benefit from talking to a depression counselor at Thriveworks in Boulder, CO. Mental health providers at Thriveworks like counselors and psychiatrists are highly trained and licensed to explore their clients’ symptoms and help develop short- and long-term treatment plans for emotional distress and behavioral problems. Our counselors and psychiatrists in Boulder, CO aim not only to improve their clients’ mental health outlooks, but also help them move toward complete remission from their disorders.
Are Anxiety and Depression Treated the Same Way?
Anxiety and depression are both mood disorders, and they often present somatically (through physical symptoms) in addition to psychologically. People can have both disorders simultaneously, sometimes making therapeutic solutions more complex. People with chronic anxiety can become depressed, and clients with depression can become anxious. The two mental states are not treated the same way, though some treatments can overlap. Here is a partial list of mental health treatment options for the two disorders:
Anxiety
- Pharmaceutical interventions (benzodiazepines, buspirone, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors aka SSRIs)
- Psychotherapy
- Substance abuse treatment
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
- Self-care through diet and exercise
- Marriage or family therapy
- Meditation
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
Depression
- Pharmaceutical interventions (antidepressants)
- Psychotherapy
- CBT
- Substance abuse treatment
- Lifestyle changes
- Behavior therapy
- Couples counseling
Symptoms of Depression in Men Versus Depression in Women
One fascinating aspect of depression is that it can manifest differently in men and women. This may partly be due to cultural reasons. For instance, in American society, males can still be encouraged to hide their emotions, whereas it can be more socially acceptable for women to show their feelings. Here are some facts about depression in men and women:
- Women develop major depression almost twice as often as men.
- Women experience guilty feelings more often than men when they’re depressed.
- In women, depression is often linked to anxiety disorders and eating disorders.
- Depressed men are more likely to have substance abuse issues.
- Young women (from puberty on) are at the greatest risk for developing major depression and other mental disorders.
- Before puberty, boys and girls experience depression at roughly the same rates.
- A man’s depression tends to present with “externalizing symptoms” like anger and lashing out.
- A woman’s depression tends to present with “internalizing symptoms” like thoughts or behaviors that harm herself.
- Female hormonal fluctuations may play a role in depression.
The licensed depression counselors at Thriveworks in Boulder, CO are trained to identify and treat symptoms of depression, whether you’re a male, female, or nonbinary. Everyone deserves to get professional help for their mental distress.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Depression?
Depression can show up in your life in numerous unwelcome ways. For example:
- Meaningful weight gain or loss
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Sleeping too much
- Physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches
- Slowed-down thoughts and movement
- Unusual fatigue
- Overwhelming feelings of sadness, guilt, or worthlessness
- Inability to focus or make decisions
- Frightening thoughts of death (Note: contact a crisis center immediately if you are experiencing suicidal ideation.)
You may notice these and/or other symptoms of depression in yourself or someone you love. The symptoms may last for as few as two weeks or as long as several years. It’s never too early or too late to seek professional help from a depression counselor at Thriveworks in Boulder, CO.
What Are the Most Common Types of Depression?
Thriveworks depression counselors and other mental health providers can help clients with different types of depression, including:
- Bipolar (manic) depression
- Postpartum depression
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), aka dysthymia
Treatment plans can vary for the different types of depression. For instance, clients with SAD may benefit from light therapy, and bipolar clients may benefit from mood stabilizers as opposed to antidepressants. Your counselor can guide you to the best treatments and support you through your recovery.
Depression Treatment in Boulder, CO Is a Phone Call Away
You will probably know in your gut when the time is right to seek help from a depression counselor at Thriveworks in Boulder, CO. If you’re reading this, it’s probably time. Our insightful, licensed, highly qualified mental health providers can walk you through treatment plans for depression and help determine what’s best for you. Do not wait until you’re in crisis to ask for support. Get help today.
When you enroll at Thriveworks in Boulder, CO, you can expect numerous client benefits like online counseling opportunities (covered by health insurance), flexible cancellations, and email and phone access to your counselor between appointments. We look forward to your call so we can match you with an exceptional provider today.
