Depression is more common than people think: It affects more than 264 million people all around the world. For those who haven’t dealt with depression or who don’t quite understand it, this mental illness comes with harmful symptoms that make going about your normal day difficult and unpleasant, to say the least. These symptoms can include feelings of hopelessness, trouble sleeping and concentrating, as well as disinterest in things the individual once enjoyed.
“Through my own struggles with depression, I discovered that knowledge, therapy, medication, and education can provide the strength to get through it in one piece.” –Susan Polis Schutz
If you start to experience symptoms of depression, it’s normal to feel scared and even confused—especially if there isn’t a clear cause of your depression. That said, regardless of why you feel depressed, you should feel no shame. Again, depression affects 264 million people just like you. And every single individual is capable of managing their symptoms as well as living a happy life again.
Are you feeling depressed? Talk to your primary care physician and find a mental health professional to work with. Here at Thriveworks Jacksonville, FL (West), we offer depression therapy, which has proven to help people better manage their depression symptoms and find happiness again. Our counselors, therapists, and psychologists have the necessary skills, as well as the training and years of experience to help you through this difficult time. Thriveworks Jacksonville is ready to offer our support and help you heal. To schedule your first depression therapy appointment, either in-person or online, reach out by phone at (904) 567-7203.
Do I Have Depression? What Are Common Depression Symptoms?
If you feel depressed, down, or in despair and you’re exhibiting other symptoms of depression, it’s important that you speak with a medical professional and get the treatment that you need. The first step in doing so is understanding and identifying depression symptoms. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), depression symptoms and criteria include the following:
- Depressed mood nearly every day (as demonstrated by sadness, emptiness)
- Lack (or loss) of interest in day to day activities and events
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulty sleeping (e.g., insomnia or hypersomnia)
- Fatigue; loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Lack of concentration or ability to think straight
- Irritability
- Suicidal thoughts
Are you experiencing any combination of the above? You might be depressed. Don’t worry, though, there is help available. A depression therapist or psychologist at Thriveworks Jacksonville can assess your needs and work with you to determine what form of treatment will help you, be it talk therapy, medication, or both. To get started, reach out to Thriveworks Jacksonville today.
How Can Depression Therapy, Counseling Help Me?
Though millions of people around the world experience depression, every case is unique. For this reason, your depression therapist or psychologist at Thriveworks Jacksonville, FL (West) will look at your specific symptoms and needs in order to design the best form of treatment. That said, you can expect your therapist or psychologist to have the following goals in mind:
- Help you better understand and manage your depression symptoms
- Work with you to identify negative thinking and adapt more positive thinking
- Assist you with understanding potential causes of your depression
- Teach you how to respond well to triggers that upset or anger you
- Help you develop a plan for self-care that will further support health and wellbeing
Working with a depression therapist to accomplish the above goals will help you cope with your depression and fight back against these feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness. Remember: the first step in recovering from depression is recognizing that you feel depressed and reaching out for help. Thriveworks Jacksonville is happy to help and support you during this time.
Work with a Depression Therapist at Thriveworks Jacksonville, FL (West)
Depression is widespread, which means that it is also a widely researched mental health condition. This then means that we have had time to develop and test effective means for dealing with depression! If you are experiencing depression symptoms, you can find the help and support you need in depression therapy. The depression therapists at Thriveworks Jacksonville, FL will look at your specific case and develop a customized treatment plan just for you, of which might involve talk therapy, medication, self-care, or all of the above.
If you’re ready to schedule a depression therapy appointment, give Thriveworks Jacksonville, FL (West) a call today at (904) 567-7203. We can assist you in in-person counseling or online counseling if you prefer. This allows you to attend your session and work with your depression therapist from home!
Thriveworks Jacksonville, FL counselors, therapists, and psychologists are excited to meet you. Reach out when you’re ready to meet with us!
