Feeling sad, moody, or apathetic from time to time is a normal part of being human. People cycle through a wide range of emotions in their lifetime, even during the course of a single day. But if feelings of tearfulness, guilt, or melancholy become severe, disruptive, or don’t go away, they could be signs of a depressive disorder.
Depression is one of the most common and challenging mental health issues faced by millions of people worldwide. Depressive disorders are often difficult to recognize because many people with depression don’t feel as though they have a “reason” to feel depressed or attribute their symptoms to other situations or underlying causes.
When left untreated, depression can have a major effect on the way you feel, think, and behave. Severe symptoms may also affect your relationships and your ability to perform basic daily duties, interfering with your life and overall health.
Fortunately, even the most severe forms of depression can be treated by a mental health professional. The therapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals at Thriveworks in Fargo, ND, are specially trained to recognize, diagnose, and treat almost any depressive disorder. Call our office today to schedule your first therapy or counseling session.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Depression is not exclusive to any specific type of person or personality. Depressive disorders can affect people of any age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, or background. There is also no universal set of symptoms that makes depression readily identifiable or obvious.
There are many forms of depression and many symptoms that can come along with the disorder. Depression symptoms vary significantly from one person to the next and may come and go in various cycles. However, some symptoms that seem to be consistent with most forms of depression include the following:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, guilt, or emptiness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
- Sleep disruption – either insomnia or oversleeping
- Appetite changes and subsequent weight fluctuation
- Fatigue, extreme tiredness, or lethargy
- Physical symptoms such as headache, dizziness, backache, or other unexplained pain
- Anxiety, agitation, or irritability
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
Depression symptoms rarely disappear on their own, and self-coping methods are often ineffective and may lead to dangerous behaviors such as substance abuse or self-harm. If you have experienced more than one of these symptoms for a period longer than two consecutive weeks, consider speaking with a mental health professional at Thriveworks in Fargo, ND. A therapist or counselor can help you determine if you are experiencing a specific type of depression and teach you how to cope with your depression symptoms and manage your condition.
How Does Depression Treatment Work?
Treating depression most often requires the assistance of a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other highly trained mental health professional. Whether you are suffering from postpartum depression, major depressive disorder, or another mood disorder, a mental health professional can help you understand your condition and create a treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms.
The treatment plan your therapist designs for you will be highly unique and tailored to the specific issues you’re facing. Your concerns, symptoms, personality, emotional state, and preferences will all be considered as part of your treatment plan.
Depression therapy usually entails one or more forms of talk therapy to help you understand and manage your depressive disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly implemented in treating depression and may help you identify negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to your depression, replacing them with healthier, more positive alternatives. Interpersonal therapy and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are other common types of talk therapy used in depression counseling.
In addition to talk therapy, your treatment plan may also include prescribed medications to help manage symptoms or their underlying causes. Therapists may also recommend lifestyle adjustments like avoiding alcohol or getting more exercise to curb the onset of symptoms.
If you are ready to take control of your mental health and kick your depression symptoms to the curb, you can meet with a therapist or counselor at Thriveworks in Fargo, ND, often within just 24 to 48 hours. Schedule your first visit online, or call our friendly scheduling team for assistance.
Help Is Here: Depression Therapy at Thriveworks in Fargo, ND
Your depression doesn’t have to hold you back any longer. A counselor or therapist from Thriveworks Counseling in Fargo, ND, can show you how to overcome and manage even your most challenging depression symptoms and regain control of your mental health and your life.
When you join the Thriveworks family, you can look forward to convenient, accessible mental health care with the following benefits:
- Evening and weekend appointments
- Many insurance plans accepted
- Online appointment opportunities
- Phone and email access to providers between sessions
- Counselor-moderated community discussion boards
- Free e-copy of “Leaving Depression Behind”
Treating depression is possible and within reach. Let the Thriveworks team in Fargo, ND, show you how to overcome your depression and leave dark days behind you. Call our office today to get started.
