Juan couldn’t make sense of what was going on with him. He’d just moved to a new city, started a new job, and had even made a couple of friends he liked. He thought this time in his life would be exhilarating — that he’d be full of energy and excitement.
But instead, he felt out of it all the time. If he could, he’d prefer to sleep most of the day. Although he enjoyed cooking, he barely had the energy to microwave his meals, and even then, he barely picked at them. Despite the circumstances of his life, he felt hopeless and didn’t know if he’d ever be happy again.
Juan remembered feeling this way a couple of times before. He’d even seen a therapist during one of those periods and was diagnosed with depression. But that time, he’d had no job, little money, and his relationships were strained. The depression made sense then. So why was it back now?
Sometimes, people experience depressive episodes without an easily discernible reason. Major depressive disorder and other mood disorders are some of the most common mental disorders in the United States and can be brought on by genetic, biological, environmental, and physiological factors.
Regardless of what spurs an episode, depression can be a visceral and debilitating illness. However, it is also a very treatable disorder. Our Thriveworks counselors and therapists in Scottsdale, AZ are here to help you take back control of your life.
What Are Common Depression Symptoms?
Depression is more than just feeling down. People often experience a variety of symptoms that are disruptive to their day-to-day lives — some that they may not even think relate to mental illness.
In addition to low mood, common depression symptoms include:
- Loss of interest in most normal activities, like hobbies
- Talking or moving slowly
- Anxiety, restlessness, and trouble sitting still
- Bursts of anger or irritability, even over small things
- Disruptions in sleep patterns, like insomnia or oversleeping
- Fluctuating appetite and/or weight gain or loss
- Difficulty concentrating or recalling memories
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and low self-esteem
- Focus on past failures
- Intense and uncontrollable feelings of sadness, tearfulness, or emptiness
- Substance abuse, such as drugs or alcohol
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Unexplainable physical aches and pains
These symptoms can also point to several different forms of depression. In addition to major depressive disorder, some common ones include:
- Persistent depressive disorder: This disorder is characterized by depression symptoms that last for two years or more.
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): This type of depression often correlates with winter months, when the days are shorter and there’s less sunlight.
- Postpartum depression: Postpartum depression is sometimes experienced by new mothers in the weeks or months following childbirth. Symptoms may include fatigue, sadness, and difficulty bonding with the newborn.
No matter what kind of depression you may be dealing with, know that you can get help. Our counselors and therapists in Scottsdale, AZ have the expertise to help clients learn to cope and manage depressive disorders and their associated symptoms.
How Can Depression Therapy Help?
Going to depression therapy can help to validate and address all the difficult emotions and physical symptoms you may have been enduring. This is often an important first step on the road to recovery. Your counselor or therapist will take the time to get to know you and understand your symptoms and concerns.
Treatment for depression can look different depending on what depressive disorder you’re dealing with and what symptoms you have. That said, most treatment plans will involve some form of psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two.
One common form of psychotherapy is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In CBT, you’ll learn to identify your patterns of thinking and how those patterns inform your emotions and behaviors. Your provider will help you rethink any dysfunctional or harmful patterns that could be contributing to your depression.
If your provider determines you could benefit from antidepressants or other forms of medication, they’ll refer you to a psychiatrist who can prescribe and help you manage that part of your treatment.
When you’re ready to get a treatment plan that’s customized to you, consider contacting our licensed mental health professionals at Thriveworks in Scottsdale, AZ.
Meet With a Therapist or Counselor at Thriveworks Counseling in Scottsdale, AZ
You don’t need to deal with depression alone. We want to make it easy for you to fit your care into your life. If you call or click today, you can find an appointment time that works for your schedule, seven days a week. In fact, new clients can often meet with a provider within 24-48 hours.
We also offer affordable rates, accept most major insurance plans, and give clients access to our eBook, “Leaving Depression Behind,” among other exclusive offers.
At Thriveworks in Scottsdale, AZ, we’re here for you. Call or click today to schedule an appointment.
