The writer Andrew Solomon once stated that “the opposite of depression is not happiness, but vitality.” When a person is depressed, they may feel incapable of action. It may be a struggle to get out of bed in the morning, to take a shower, to brush one’s teeth. Someone in the midst of major depressive disorder (MDD) may not be able to work, to create, to enjoy what they used to enjoy. And they may not be able to summon the energy to ask for help.
The licensed depression counselors and therapists at Thriveworks in Tallahassee, FL can make life easier for people struggling with depression. If you seek treatment from Thriveworks, you will be met with providers who have compassion and meaningful insights, as well as extensive training and expertise. The mental health counselors at Thriveworks who specialize in depression know that each individual is more than their diagnosis. They develop personalized treatment plans that are tailored toward each client’s needs and goals.
What Are the Basic Signs of Having Depression?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which psychiatrists and other mental health professionals use to diagnose and treat depression, lists the following symptoms of depression for MDD:
- Depressed mood (feelings of sadness and negativity) lasting longer than two weeks
- Anhedonia, which is the loss of interest or pleasure in activities a person usually enjoys
- Changes in appetite, sometimes leading to unintentional weight loss or gain
- Psychomotor retardation (slowed-down movements and thoughts)
- Extreme tiredness
- Acute feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Issues with focus, attention, and/or memory
- Suicidality (if you’re ever considering harming yourself, call a crisis hotline immediately)
But different types of depression may have different symptoms. For example, manic depression, the mood disorder that’s also called bipolar disorder, is diagnosed by episodes of mania as well as depression. And timing of symptoms matters as well. A person with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may only have the indications for depression at certain times of the year. And a mother who suffers from depression in the weeks after childbirth may be diagnosed with postpartum depression rather than MDD.
How Can Counseling Help Depression?
Licensed counseling, psychiatry, social work, and psychotherapy (talk therapy) at Thriveworks in Tallahassee, FL can help people with depression by first exploring the environmental, psychosocial, behavioral, genetic, and neurochemical components of a client’s mood disorder. A therapist will also want to know what the client’s therapy goals are. After this full evaluation, the therapist and the client can develop a treatment plan together with elements that best serve the client’s needs. Effective depression treatment may include any of the following evidence-based approaches:
- Person-centered psychotherapy
- Strength-based approaches
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy, a type of CBT
- Supportive therapy
- Trauma-focused therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Substance abuse or addiction counseling
- Holistic treatments
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness
- Coping skills training
- Family therapy or couples therapy
- Lifestyle modifications addressing nutrition and exercise
- Psychosocial interventions to find community support for the depressed person
- Behavioral activation
- Antidepressant medications prescribed by a Thriveworks psychiatrist
Should I Seek Therapy If I’m Depressed?
If you have been experiencing depression for longer than two weeks, it might be wise to consult a qualified mental health professional at Thriveworks in Tallahassee, FL. This is because untreated depression can lead to other health problems like the following:
- Substance abuse or addiction
- Changes in sleep hygiene
- Changes in sexual desire
- Social isolation and avoidance
- Inexplicable aches and pains
- Concurrent anxiety and depression
- Unemployment and financial stress
- Conflicts in intimate relationships
- Heart disease
- Compromised immune system
Are Depressed People Ever Really Cured?
Though psychiatrists and other mental health providers don’t usually speak in terms of cures, depression can definitely go into remission with the proper treatment. Some people may need short-term or long-term support from psychiatric medication. Some people may benefit from regular sessions with a Thriveworks psychologist in Tallahassee, FL in order to prevent future depressive episodes. Other people may find that their depression was situational and they do not require ongoing treatment. But it’s important to learn preventative measures and the indications that depression might be recurring because many people who experience one episode will experience another.
Get Licensed Depression Counseling at Thriveworks in Tallahassee, FL
If you are depressed, you can get help quickly from Thriveworks in Tallahassee, FL. Most providers can meet with new patients within 24-48 hours of their call or online booking. And Thriveworks mental health providers are recruited from the top 4% of applicants in the area. They also accept most major forms of health insurance. This means that Thriveworks clients can get premium care from exceptional providers at competitive rates. Call today to get matched with a mental health professional who can best support you through your depression. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals.
