Tess hasn’t had the best luck lately, and it’s starting to wear on her. Shortly after her dog passed this spring, she also was forced to find a new job after being let go. Though she’s done her best to remain focused and positive, the truth is that she’s feeling overwhelmed and depressed. Tess has a partner and is close to her family and friends, but she’d rather not burden them with emotions that she feels guilty for having. So instead of opening up, Tess often decides to hide the struggle she’s facing from those she loves.
But despite her best efforts, her mother has noticed. Rather than try to dig into what was bothering Tess, she recommended that her daughter talk to a mental health professional. Tess was surprised initially and worried that she might be judged for talking to someone about her mental health struggles. However, Tess’s mom encouraged her to consider the potential benefits of having an expert’s support and guidance while Tess finds her emotional balance.
If you’re in Tess’s shoes, then perhaps you’re worried about the stigma associated with seeking mental health services. Maybe you’re even concerned that you’ll be judged by a counselor or psychiatrist for your condition or concerns. Rest assured, at Thriveworks in Edmond, OK, we know that anyone can benefit from talking with a mental health professional. And for those suffering from depression, getting a provider’s insight and skillset can offer relief from its’ disruptive symptoms.
What Does Depression Feel Like?
Depression symptoms can vary from person to person. For many people, though, depression can manifest in the following ways:
- Lack of self-care (i.e. personal hygiene or a clean living environment)
- Drug and alcohol abuse to cope with emotional pain
- Feeling chronically fatigued
- Seeming distant from loved ones and friends
- Overeating or avoiding eating to cope with stress or sadness
- Decreased work performance
- A noted lack of interest in sex, hobbies, or relationships
Keep in mind, if you’re diagnosed, your experience may vary. And that’s okay—our therapists and psychiatrists know that each person we see has a unique story and set of mental health needs. That’s why we do our very best to address your situation and use your feedback to create customized care.
What Type of Depression Do I Have?
The word “depression” refers to a cluster of related emotional disorders. While there are many types of depression, our Thriveworks team in Edmond, OK commonly deals with:
- Major depressive disorder: This disorder constitutes what most people think of when they imagine depression. Major depressive disorder sufferers endure long stints of emotional detachment and despair. These factors, combined with a lack of interest in relationships, hobbies, or their own wellbeing can socially isolate those with this condition.
- Minor depression: As the name suggests, minor depression is similar to major depression but somewhat less severe in effect and duration. Still, those with this condition still will seem distant, withdrawn, or overwhelmed with sadness.
- Postpartum depression: Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that develops during a mother’s recovery, resulting in dissociation, confusion, and apathy. Women who undergo cesarean sections are even more likely to experience this type of depression.
- Bipolar Disorder: It might seem strange to categorize Bipolar disorder as a form of depression. But this mental health condition can change someone’s emotions from elation to incredible hopelessness in an instant. Despite their best intentions, those with bipolar disorder often suffer to maintain close relationships due to their unpredictable mood swings.
How Can a Mental Health Professional Help with My Depression?
At Thriveworks in Edmond, OK we help everyday people manage and mitigate the disruptive symptoms of depression. While each client is different, those who seek care with us generally see either a counselor or therapist (properly known as a psychologist) or a psychiatrist. Both types of providers can successfully help you manage depression, but they approach treatment in different ways.
A psychiatrist is better equipped for more serious instances of depression because they’re:
- Medical doctors in addition to being licensed to conduct therapy sessions.
- Able to prescribe helpful medication to people in order to assist them in managing the disruptive effects of mental health disorders like depression.
- Able to use a combinative approach with prescriptions and a form of talk/behavioral therapy to assist those who see them.
On the other hand, one of our psychologists can:
- Treat mental health disorders and conditions using different forms of therapy (i.e talk or behavioral types)
- Use sessions as a medium for progress. These sessions rely on a candid, professional relationship between themselves and the client
- Use your personal experiences and needs to create custom treatment plans that include coping strategies and the formation of healthy boundaries
Neither type of provider is better than the other. Whichever provider you’re paired with will provide you with the same high-quality mental health care that thousands of other people have come to associate with Thriveworks.
Schedule a Therapy or Psychiatry Session for Your Depression at Thriveworks in Edmond, OK
Depression doesn’t have to set the rules for you, not when you decide to team up with a mental health professional. If you’re ready to start reclaiming your life from the symptoms of depression, call our office. Our scheduling specialists will be waiting to help you get started.
Plus, we offer a great host of benefits to our clients, including:
- A fast response time from your provider’s office. Most of our clients have their first session within 24-48 hours of calling in for the first time
- Flexible appointment options, including those in the evenings and on the weekends
- Our Therapy Buddy app
- Ask a life coach a question, with our Q/A chat feature
Depression is a significant mental health disorder and can be difficult to manage by yourself. But if you’re interested in being paired with a psychiatrist or counselor at Thriveworks in Edmond, OK, give us a call. We look forward to working with you.
