If you turn on the TV, open a newspaper, or check social media, you’ll probably find someone talking about depression. It’s equally likely that your favorite actor or musician has discussed struggling with substance abuse or suicidal thoughts. Maybe one of your close friends has a major depressive disorder.
There is much less of a stigma surrounding mental health than there used to be. Unfortunately, there are still harmful myths about depression out there. Let’s debunk a few:
- Sad situations alone do not cause depression. While loss, heartbreak, and trauma may heighten your feelings, people experiencing depression symptoms do so for long periods of time, often unrelated to a single event.
- Medication is not the only way to manage or prevent depression. In reality, medication is usually prescribed as part of a larger treatment plan involving talk therapy and practicing coping techniques.
- Depression is not “something everyone endures.” You don’t have to fight depression alone, and it’s not just a normal part of getting older.
Working with a mental health professional can help you manage your depression and live a happier, healthier life. If you’ve been thinking about getting support, consider working with a therapist or counselor from Thriveworks Counseling in Rapid City, SD. Call or contact us online to get started whenever you’re ready.
What Are Common Symptoms and Causes of Depression?
Depression can make you feel isolated, unable to enjoy activities you used to love, and exhausted by ordinary tasks. Another myth about mental health treatment is that it’s only for people with severe disorders — but the reality is very different. Working with a mental health professional can help people manage mild to moderate mental illness or reduce the symptoms of a serious case of depression.
Depression can look different for everyone. However, some symptoms are more common, including:
- Apathy
- Irritability
- Exhaustion
- Social isolation
- Mood swings
- Excess sleepiness or insomnia
- Feelings of guilt and hopelessness
- Changes in weight or appetite
A combination of environmental, social, and genetic factors can contribute to depression. Additionally, major life transitions and traumatic events can trigger prolonged periods of depression. One example is a mother with postpartum depression, which occurs after childbirth and can lead to drastic mood swings, anxiety, and difficulty bonding with a newborn.
Acknowledging the role depression plays in life can be challenging. It’s okay to feel vulnerable or uncertain. But if you’ve been facing one or more of the symptoms listed above for a prolonged period, consider reaching out to a mental health professional from Thriveworks Counseling in Rapid City, SD.
Depression Counseling: How It Works
Psychiatrists, therapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals are equipped to identify and address many forms of depression. They use evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help clients regain a sense of control and happiness in their lives. If you meet with a professional, they’ll want to learn more about your concerns before proceeding, typically through questions about your emotional state, past, relationships, and personal goals.
Some of the most common types of talk therapy used in treatment for depression include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This short-term method focuses on identifying and altering thought and behavior patterns that cause or worsen mental health conditions like depression.
- Psychodynamic therapy: Psychodynamic therapy helps clients understand their mental and emotional processes. It gives clients the space to engage with their full emotional range and put unhealthy reactions in perspective.
- Interpersonal therapy: Interpersonal therapy aims to prevent depression caused by the strain between you and your loved ones, acquaintances, and coworkers. It involves strategies to improve communication and resolve conflict before it negatively affects your mental health.
Your treatment plan will be unique to you. The techniques that work wonderfully for one person might be less effective for someone else. Treatment for depressive disorders typically takes a multifaceted approach that involves traditional talk therapy and prescription medication. Many find working with a licensed therapist or counselor makes their depression manageable, alleviates its worst symptoms, and charts a path towards a brighter future.
Meet a Depression Counselor at Thriveworks in Rapid City, SD
Schedule an appointment at Thriveworks Counseling in Rapid City, SD, today if you want to work with a licensed therapist or counselor. Our mental health professionals offer sessions during weekdays, in the evenings, and on the weekends. You can also connect with a Thriveworks provider virtually through phone calls or video chats if something is preventing you from attending sessions in person.
We accept many different forms of insurance and allow you to contact your provider in between sessions through text or email. New clients can schedule their first session immediately and meet with a provider within just 24-48 hours.
Further advantages of working with Thriveworks include:
- A free e-copy of “Leaving Depression Behind.”
- Participation in counselor-moderated community discussion boards
- 24-hour Q+A service with a life coach
- Flexible cancellation and rescheduling
Depression therapists and counselors can help you live a happier, healthier life. Call our office today or use our convenient online scheduling tool to set up your first appointment at Thriveworks Counseling in Rapid City, SD.
