We all have moments of sadness and grief or periods of feeling a little blue. Those are quite common and have no lasting effect on our lives. Depression is different. Depression is a condition that might start with sadness over loss (grief) or a feeling of loneliness in some cases, but the feeling lingers and grows into something that can best be described by clients who have been there.
At Thriveworks we have heard our clients say:
“I am drowning. I can see the surface sometimes, but no matter how hard I swim toward it, I just can’t seem to get air. After a while I just feel like sinking to the bottom. It is terrifying, but I feel like I am out of hope…out of options.” – Anonymous Client
“I am crumbling. I am shattered and falling into tiny pieces. My world is just coming unglued, and it isn’t just one thing that I can try to put back together…it is everything. I am just tired of it all happening and I just want to give up. It all feels pointless anyway.” – Anonymous Client
If you are reading these passages and thinking it sounds all too familiar, you could be suffering from depression. You don’t have to give up and let it swallow you. You might feel tired and bone weary, but depression is not a life sentence. We can help. We want to help. We know many people need us, so we are ready to help today.
What Is Depression and What Causes It?
Depression comes in many forms, including Bipolar Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, Complex Grief, and Mixed Depression and Anxiety. Depression can be the central issue (root problem) or it can be a symptom of other issues, including trauma (PTSD), Dementia, Personality Disorders, and so forth. Depression can also be caused by certain biological reactions to medications, a lack of sleep (insomnia), poor nutrition, and even weather (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Regardless of the type or cause, depression is real and pervasive. Here are common symptoms to look for:
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
- Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
- Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
- Irritability, restlessness
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
- Overeating or appetite loss
- Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
- Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
When it comes to prevalence (who has depression), studies have shown that about 14.8 million people (6.7% of the American population) suffer with depression, and women are twice as likely to struggle with it as men.
What Can Be Done? (Treatment Options)
Most Americans fall back on taking medication, such as SSRI/SNRI anti-depressants. There are also MAOI/Atypical depression medications. All of these options have proven to be effective in some way, but all of them also have unwanted side effects. At Thriveworks, we understand that medications can be helpful, but we know medication is best as a temporary option when paired with therapy. It is our belief that any medication that does not completely heal the body or enable the body to heal itself is merely masking the symptoms. The root cause is there and will not likely go away without help from a counselor. We want to end reliance on medication when possible and supplement therapy with medication only as needed.
You can do something on your own to help get the most out of your body’s innate ability to cope, including eating healthy, sleeping regularly, and exercising. At Thriveworks, we believe many of the problems we see in our clients can be resolved with basic life changes and therapy. We encourage you to take action, get in the driver’s seat, and get on the road to wellness. Go ahead and start today. Call for your appointment. Commit to overcoming depression. Get back to the life you have been searching for.
Call us at 501-628-9066 (Maumelle Office) or 501-404-9737 (Conway Office) for an appointment or e-mail our director at curtiss@thriveworks.com for more information. We accept all major medical (health insurance) plans.
