Depression is not just a case of the “blahs” or a mild funk that will disappear after a good night’s sleep. Depression isn’t something you can “just snap out of” when your friends complain you’re bringing them down with your gloomy mood. If you’re suffering from depression, you don’t have to feel ashamed or apologize to the people who care about you. It’s not your fault that you’re depressed. You’ve done the best you could with the resources you had. But now it’s time to get help.
When someone is depressed, they don’t necessarily have the perspective to know when it’s time to get treated. But the signs are often there:
- Your eating or sleeping habits have changed
- You’ve lost your sex drive
- You’re more irritable
- You’ve stopped thinking about the future
- You struggle to get out of bed in the morning
These can all be signs that you’re experiencing depression. They will usually be noticeable enough that your friends and family have seen the changes. But only an expert can diagnose you with depression for sure. It’s brave to ask for professional support when you feel like your mood is spiraling into clinical territory. You can find that support through the mental health services of a depression counselor at Thriveworks in Lakewood, OH.
What Are the Different Kinds of Depression and How Do I Know If I’m Depressed?
Not every kind of depression is alike, though all types qualify as mood disorders. A woman who just had a baby and is feeling despondent might have postpartum depression. A man who only tends to get depressed in the wintertime when the days are shorter might be suffering from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Bipolar disorder and Type II bipolar disorder are partly defined by their intermittent depressive episodes. And persistent depressive disorder, or dysthymia, can last for over two years.
Common feelings and behaviors in all types of depression, both major and mild, include these clinical findings:
- Difficulty focusing or making decisions
- Loss of energy
- Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
- Appetite and sleep changes
- Feeling guilty or worthless
- Increased physical activity that seems “purposeless”
- Persistent sadness
When you’re depressed, the sad feelings don’t come in waves like they do in people without mood disorders. Clinical depression can mean that the sadness doesn’t go away. A Thriveworks depression counselor in Lakewood, OH can talk to you about your symptoms and determine what kind of treatment you need. Some clients benefit from a combination of therapy and medication (prescribed by a Thriveworks telepsychiatrist). A psychiatrist might also refer you to your family doctor for testing to rule out thyroid disorders, which can sometimes cause similar symptoms to depression.
Are Depression and Anxiety Related?
Depression and anxiety are both common mood disorders, and they often overlap. In 2020, adults in the US reported elevated rates of both conditions. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America claims that nearly 50 percent of people diagnosed with depression also receive an anxiety diagnosis. Both conditions can be treated with counseling and/or medication prescribed by a clinically certified psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Lakewood, OH.
How Can Therapy Help Depression?
You might think you have great coping mechanisms for your depression, but chances are they may need a little modification or enhancement from a professional counselor who studies depression for a living. Techniques of coping with depression at home might include:
- Journaling about your feelings
- Adhering to a routine despite your apathy
- Exercising
- Abstaining from recreational drugs and alcohol
- Taking brain-boosting supplements like omega-3 fatty acids
- Forcing yourself to see loved ones, even if you want to be alone
- Expressing yourself through art
- Listening to music
- Attending church
These are all helpful coping techniques, if you can manage them during your depression. But nothing can substitute for the expertise of a professional depression counselor. Their only job is to help you feel better.
Find the Best Depression Counselor for You in Lakewood
Thriveworks offers its clients the best mental health providers in the Lakewood, OH region. Whether you’re a college student, a parent, or a professional caregiver, our licensed depression therapists can deliver the emotional, practical, and medical support you need to start feeling better.
You can call the Thriveworks office during our extended business hours to talk to a real person who can match you to a depression counselor. When you enroll with Thriveworks you receive added benefits that you won’t see elsewhere, like phone and email access to your counselor between sessions. Make an appointment today to find out more.
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