Depression in Pasadena, CA—Counselors and Therapists

Fathers. Mothers. Daughters. Sons. Spouses. Partners. Friends. Grandparents. Uncles. Aunts. Bosses. Co-workers. Employees. Anyone can struggle with depression. Depression may be a man who never feels like he has accomplished enough, even though he just earned a promotion. Depression can look like a 14-year-old who is stressed out and has stopped hanging out with his friends. Depression can look like a woman who is constantly hitting the gym, trying to shake an unshakeable feeling. Depression can affect women and men, old and young, poor and rich, in every ethnicity and socio-economic status.

Each person will experience depression in a unique way, but there are common features of this illness. Some people have good days and bad days, but the bad days far outnumber the good ones. Depression can be difficult to recognize, but recognition is possible. In fact, understanding what depression is and how to spot it is important for early treatment and healing. And without a question, treatment options are available. There are no magic formulas that cure depression, but by working with a mental health professional, many people are experiencing more of those good days and less of the bad ones.

Thriveworks Pasadena has worked with many clients who are suffering from depression. We know that depression has treatments and that it is possible to have better days. Healing from depression is not an easy process, but it is worth the effort.

Not just Sadness: Depression Defined

Depression does not come with obvious physical symptoms—like having a fever or a rash. There is no tangible sign that the disease manifests wherein people can see they or their loved ones are sick. And yet, depression is one of the more serious illnesses that can strike. It’s symptoms may not be visible or tangible, but they are very real and very painful. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) outlines the symptoms of depression in detail.

“Sad hurts, but it’s a healthy feeling. It is a necessary thing to feel.
Depression is very different.”
–J. K. Rowling

Depression comes in many forms, and what most people call depression, the DSM-5 calls Major Depressive Disorder. As J. K. Rowling notes, it is not the same as feeling sad. All people feel sad at times. It a feeling that rises and then passes. Major Depressive Disorder is a disease that often requires interventions and treatments. If you recognize any of the following signs of Major Depressive Disorder, it may be time to reach out for help:

• Over a two-week time period, people with Major Depressive Disorder will exhibit significant changes which will include at least disinterest in activities they once enjoyed or a depressed mood.
• They will also experience at least two of the following:
• Fluctuations in weight and appetite—either an increase or a decrease.
• Disruptions in sleep patterns—either insomnia (inability to sleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep).
• Deterioration in psychomotor skills (coordination, dexterity, strength, et cetera) that others can notice.
• Feeling lethargic on more days than not and for most of the day.
• Daily feelings of worthlessness and guilt.
• Difficulty concentrating, thinking, and/or making decisions
• Thoughts of death and/or suicide idealization.
• Attempted suicide.
• These symptoms disrupt people’s life, hindering their ability to carry out their daily life.
• If these symptoms are the result of a different medical condition or medication, then they may not be Major Depressive Disorder.
• The symptoms also cannot be accompanied by a manic or hypomanic episode to be Major Depressive Disorder.

Treatment Options for Depression

Depression is an illness that attacks people viciously, but like many other major diseases, those in the medical and mental health community are constantly finding ways to fight back. Many people are finding the treatment they need for Major Depressive Disorder and its various forms. A licensed mental health counselor can often help people find the right treatment for them, but options often include…

• Psychotherapy is almost always the bedrock of treatment for depression. There are various forms of psychotherapy that can be tailored to an individual’s needs, but the general goal is to help people process past trauma, learn coping skills for difficult feelings, and readjust false beliefs trauma may have taught them.
• Medication is another element of many treatments for depression. Antidepressants, like SSRIs and SNRIs, can often bring individuals relief from depression’s symptoms so that they can focus upon healing. Medications can be used in a variety of ways, and mental health professionals should always oversee their use.

Scheduling Therapy at Thriveworks Pasadena for Depression

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
–Eleanor Roosevelt

As you read through the signs of depression, did anything resonate with your experiences? If depress has struck, know that you are not alone and know that treatment is available. Consider making an appointment with Thriveworks Pasadena. Our counselors are caring professionals who have helped many people find treatment for depression. We know that fighting depression is difficult, and we think that scheduling therapy should be easy. When you contact our office, a scheduling specialist will answer your call and help you make an appointment. New clients often have their first appointment the following day. We offer evening and weekend sessions, and we accept many different insurance plans. Call today.