Depression is a common mood disorder, and it’s important to take its symptoms seriously. When left untreated, depression can have you feeling emotionally stuck, isolated from your loved ones, and disinterested in your hobbies, work, and social life.
This disease does not care if you’re wealthy or poor, academically gifted or struggling, athletic or laid back. Millions experience the challenges of depression every day in the United States alone.
Seeing a therapist or counselor about prolonged feelings of unhappiness, isolation, and suicidal thoughts can significantly improve your mental health. Mental health professionals spend their lives helping people navigate the effects of depressive disorders. They are trained to diagnose mental health issues, administer talk therapy, and help their clients overcome the symptoms of depression.
Life has its ups and downs, but depression is a mental illness that goes beyond feeling sad after watching a sappy movie or missing your pets while on a work trip. If you think that depression is interrupting your life, consider reaching out to Thriveworks Counseling in San Jose, CA. Our licensed therapists, counselors, and board-certified psychiatrists can help you manage your depression. Call our office or use our convenient online scheduling tool to set up your first appointment.
Depression: Most Common Symptoms
Depression affects different people in different ways. For example, a 35-year-old accountant may turn to substance abuse because of a traumatic event in their childhood. A young mother could struggle to feel connected to her newborn baby. A teenager whose best friend suddenly died might lie awake at night with misplaced guilt.
Your situation is uniquely yours, but there are some commonalities. Depression typically causes symptoms such as:
- Prolonged sadness
- Feelings of emptiness
- Intense pessimism
- Irritability
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Changes in weight and appetite
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
- Substance abuse
- Restlessness
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Difficulty sleeping, oversleeping, or waking up too early
- A sense of isolation
If you find yourself living with any of these symptoms, consider working with a mental health professional. Call or contact Thriveworks in San Jose, CA, to get started.
Should I Work With a Mental Health Professional?
Depression doesn’t have to control your life. It may feel overwhelming or daunting at first, but asking for help is an incredibly courageous first step. The process generally involves a licensed mental health professional getting to know you better. This involves asking questions, listening compassionately, and discussing what you want from treatment.
Because there are many forms of depression, like major depressive disorder and postpartum depression, there are many forms that your treatment can take. Common therapies for depressive disorders include:
- Behavioral activation: Based on the idea that positive interactions and activities improve your mood, behavioral activation asks that a client form new emotional ties and participate in new adventures. This might look like joining a cooking club, planning a special vacation, or finding a pen pal.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a relatively short-term therapy that aims to change the thought and behavior patterns that worsen your depression. It combines talk therapy with coping strategies to help you rethink your responses to specific stimuli.
- Interpersonal therapy: Interpersonal therapy focuses on improving communication skills and conflict resolution techniques to help you improve your personal relationships.
- Family therapy: Depression can affect everyone in a household. Inviting others to a joint therapy session to reassess your role in a family may improve your depression. This practice also helps people be more open about the ways depression manifests in their life.
- Supportive counseling: Supportive counseling often makes appearances on film and TV. Less structured than most therapies, it allows you to share whatever is on your mind with a therapist in a safe and judgment-free environment.
Some depressive disorders also respond well to medication, especially when used in tandem with talk therapy. Antidepressant medication can help reduce depression symptoms for some people, though they’re not a part of every treatment plan. Your provider will customize a treatment plan for you based on the specifics of your situation.
Thriveworks CA: Meet a Therapist for Depression in San Jose
Depression counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists in San Jose, CA, can help with the concerns you’re facing. At Thriveworks Counseling, we offer sessions at convenient times, including weekend and evening appointments. New clients may receive an appointment within 24 to 48 hours of reaching out.
Additionally, you’ll have access to your provider in-between appointments through text or email. If you’re more comfortable meeting a provider virtually, there are sessions available using phone calls or video chat. We accept many forms of health insurance, so check to see if your insurance plan covers mental health services.
More Thriveworks perks include:
- Access to exclusive video content
- An e-copy of the book “Leaving Depression Behind”
- 24-hour Q+A life coaching service
If you’re ready to take the first step on the road to recovery, consider contacting us today at Thriveworks Counseling in San Jose, CA, to schedule your first appointment.
