Often, it feels like we’re the only ones struggling—like the rest of the world is in a constant state of bliss. Or at a party we weren’t invited to. In reality, however, everyone struggles. And if you just took a minute to really observe, you’d see that: you’d see that the cheerful neighbor next door is so friendly because he’s lonely; you’d see that your boss is making good money at the price of missing out on time with her family; you’d see that even your “perfect” older brother has his fair share of problems, but he has too much pride to talk about them. The bottom line is we all struggle. We struggle with feelings of loneliness, to master the perfect work-life balance, to open up about our feelings. And sometimes we even struggle with a deep level of despair: depression.
“The first step toward getting somewhere
is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.”
–J.P. Morgan
Depression can make even the toughest people feel weak. It can make the simplest tasks feel impossible. It can cause you to miss work, school, or put other responsibilities on the back burner. It can cause you to question everything you know about life—as you deal with an intense sadness, loss of energy, and feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
The good news is depression is completely treatable and there is help available. If you don’t feel like yourself and think you might be depressed, consider working with a depression counselor at Thriveworks in Framingham. The counselors, therapists, psychologists, and life coaches at Thriveworks are experts in mental health—they have the skills necessary to help you manage your depression symptoms and live a happy life again. Call (508) 392-4269 to schedule an appointment.
What Is Depression? Am I Depressed?
While many know about major depression, other forms of depression are lesser known: these include minor depression, bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder, and many others. That said, so many know about major depression because around 19 million Americans are majorly depressed at any given moment. Garrett Ellis, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at our Framingham office, explains what this might look like: “Some of the major signs and symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, loss of energy, loss of motivation, loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, a sense of hopelessness, increase or decrease in appetite (as evidenced by weight loss/gain), irritability, sleep disturbance (e.g. insomnia), and feelings of worthlessness.”
In order to be diagnosed with depression, you must present feelings of intense sadness and/or experience a loss of interest in life most of the day and nearly every day for two weeks or longer. If any of these symptoms resonate with you and you think you might need professional help, reach out to Thriveworks Counseling in Framingham. A depression counselor will talk you through your symptoms and help you to better manage them so you can get back to your normal self again.
Do I Need Depression Counseling? How Can It Help Me?
Your journey in counseling will depend on your exact presentation of symptoms as well as your goals for therapy. Ellis explains: “The therapy process for treating depression often begins with identifying signs and symptoms that are unique to the individual’s circumstances, followed by exploring and understanding situations or events that have contributed to their depression. It is through gained knowledge, insight, problem-solving ability, and informed decisions-making, that depression counseling can help those in need to gain control over their lives, and thrive.”
In addition, your depression counselor will ask you about the level of self-care you engage in, which is just as important to this journey as the work you complete in the counseling room. Self-care is all about performing activities that you enjoy and that benefit your mental health. The following are a few common practices that prove beneficial:
- Exercising (e.g., running or doing yoga)
- Painting or tapping into your creative abilities
- Meditating or practicing mindfulness
- Spending time with a friend or family member
It’s okay if none of these items appeal to you. The key is to find activities that you care about and enjoy. This might mean going to the gym or yoga studio, or it might mean kicking back with your loved ones. Your counselor can help you find an activity or even a routine of self-care that works best for you.
Schedule a Depression Counseling Session at Thriveworks Counseling in Framingham
Are you experiencing symptoms of depression? Do you feel a deep despair and loss of interest in life? Have your sleeping or eating habits changed for the worst? Consider working with a mental health professional at Thriveworks Counseling in Framingham. Our counselors and psychologists are equipped with the knowledge, experience, and tools to help you through this difficult time. And they are eager to make a difference in your life. If you’re ready to get started, so are we. Just give us a call at (508) 392-4269 and a scheduling specialist will get you all set up.
