Charlie never imagined his life would turn out like this. In the last year, he’d been through a divorce, lost his job, and moved into a new apartment.
While his friends sympathized with his difficult situation, they had also told him he just needed to keep pushing through it. But lately, Charlie hasn’t felt like he has the energy to push, mainly because he doesn’t know what he’d be pushing for. He knows he needs a job to pay his rent but that hasn’t been motivation enough to get him out of bed.
Instead, the hours slip by as he replays the end of his marriage over and over. He feels like maybe if he acted differently or said something differently, he’d still be with his wife. If he hadn’t let his divorce affect his job performance, maybe he’d still have his job.
To get away from these thoughts, he watches a lot of TV but doesn’t absorb anything he’s watching. Most of the time, he wishes he were asleep. He can feel himself drawing away from his friends and he doesn’t feel like he’s fun to be around anymore. He doesn’t know how to find his way back to being himself.
Major depressive disorder, more commonly known as clinical depression, can make you feel like a shell of your former self. Left untreated, this mood disorder can even convince you that you will feel that way forever. Our mental health professionals at Thriveworks in Green Bay, WI know that depression symptoms can feel overwhelming but we are here to help. Click or call to make a remote or in-person appointment today.
Common Symptoms and Types of Depressive Disorders
There are many different forms of depression and people can experience them in varying ways. The following symptoms might indicate that you’re experiencing a depressive episode:
- Heightened feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and isolation
- Inability to concentrate or complete tasks
- Substance abuse or increased reliance on substances
- Feelings of emptiness
- Loss of pleasure in favorite activities or hobbies
- Changes in appetite
- Thinking or talking more slowly
- Disruption in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or hypersomnia
- Lowered sex drive
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Typically, experiencing these symptoms consistently for two weeks or more may mean you are experiencing a depressive disorder. Mood disorders like depression can be prompted by obvious life events, as in Charlie’s case, but there may be a number of contributing factors, including genetics, substance use, and biological changes.
Some common types of depression include:
- Major depressive disorder: Major depressive disorder is characterized by depression symptoms that last most times of the day for two weeks or more.
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): This depressive disorder is tied to a seasonal pattern that brings the onset of symptoms in the fall and through the winter as the days get shorter and darker.
- Persistent depressive disorder: Persistent depressive disorder may look similar to major depressive disorder, but symptoms can be milder and may persist for two years or more.
- Postpartum depression: This is a form of depression that occurs in some women in the weeks or months after they give birth.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): PMDD may be experienced in the days leading up to a person’s period, often characterized by symptoms that disrupt daily functioning.
At Thriveworks in Green Bay, WI, we understand that no matter what kind of depression you’re facing, the suffering caused by this illness can be incredibly debilitating. We want you to know it’s okay to reach out for help. Recovering from depression is not something you have to do alone.
How Can Depression Therapy Help?
Depression therapy can greatly improve your quality of life. It often involves a form of psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and can also include medication for clients experiencing more moderate to severe depression.
Forms of talk therapy, like CBT, allow you to unpack your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions with a trained professional who can teach you strategies and help implement lifestyle changes to alleviate the weight of your depression.
People can experience depressive disorders in different ways so there is no one set form of treatment. The counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Green Bay, WI are here to provide you with the compassionate care that best suits you.
Starting Therapy for Depression With Thriveworks in Green Bay, WI
If you’re tired of dealing with depression symptoms that interfere with your day-to-day life, we’re here to help you get your life back. We want to make getting the help you need as easy as possible — that’s why we accept insurance, offer affordable rates, and have availabilities for in-person and online sessions. Plus, if you call or click today, our scheduling experts may even be able to get you in a session with a provider in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
Other benefits of enrolling include:
- Phone and email access to your counselor between sessions
- A flexible cancellation policy
- A free e-copy of “Leaving Depression Behind”
If you’re experiencing overwhelming symptoms, it’s important to know that you don’t have to go it alone. Take the first step toward healing with Thriveworks in Green Bay, WI.
