Many people describe their depression as a heavy feeling as if they’re being weighed down. Others say that they feel like they’re drowning in a sea of negative thoughts and have trouble remembering what it was like before they started feeling this way.
Depression is a mood disorder that affects millions of Americans and can either be experienced as infrequent, major depressive episodes or as a more persistent low mood over weeks, months, or years on end.
Feeling sad from time to time is completely normal but if you’re feeling sad on a consistent basis, or you’ve lost interest in your favorite activities, it may be time to seek help. As much as 60 percent of people that suffer from a mental illness don’t seek out the necessary help they need to overcome their symptoms. This is especially tragic as many conditions like depression are considered highly treatable.
It’s important to remember that it’s okay to ask for help just as you would for a physical injury or a sickness. Sometimes it’s only possible to begin your healing process with the help of a highly trained third-party professional. Just like a doctor can treat your ailments, a licensed mental health professional at Thriveworks Counseling in Valencia, CA can support you with your struggles with depression.
The Most Common Symptoms of Depression
There are many different forms of depression, and no two people experience it in the exact same way. Some people struggle with depression after specific incidents, such as the death of a loved one, moving, financial problems, or relationship issues.
At the same time, other people may experience depression symptoms without being able to identify a specific triggering event. They may start to feel empty and hopeless in the short-term but don’t know why.
Some people experience suicidal thoughts and have trouble managing their day-to-day lives. Others experience feelings of general dissatisfaction or low self-esteem but are able to function normally in their careers.
No matter what your depression symptoms may look like, it’s important to realize that help is available. Here are some of the most common types of depressive symptoms:
- Chronic fatigue
- Persistent feeling of hopelessness, sadness, or emptiness
- Apathy
- Loss of emotional expression
- Low self-esteem
- Increased anxiety or restlessness
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
- Excessive sleeping or insomnia
- Increased irritability
- Social isolation
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Substance abuse
If you’ve been feeling these symptoms, you may be dealing with a depressive disorder. Consider speaking to a professional mental health counselor in Valencia, CA for the assistance you need to get back on track.
How Can Depression Therapy Help?
Depression can make any situation feel hopeless but it’s important to realize that hope is available in the form of professional mental health counseling.
Depression can be related to a combination of both physical and mental components, meaning sometimes a multi-faceted approach involving talk therapy and medication is necessary. Every individual has unique needs, which is why your counselor will perform a thorough diagnosis to determine the optimal method of treatment.
Depression therapy will typically involve talk therapy of some kind. Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can be incredibly helpful by analyzing your thought patterns and their impact on your mental and emotional state.
You may think the idea of the power of positive thinking is a complete myth. However, this is not the case. If you tell yourself repeatedly that you are worthless or that you won’t succeed in your career, it is possible for this to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The trouble is that many people don’t even realize they are doing this to themselves.
Taking part in talk therapy with an experienced depression counselor allows you to become aware of your mental processes so that you can begin to stop these thoughts in their tracks and work towards self-improvement. This is incredibly effective when performed under the guidance of a trained and experienced mental health professional.
If you’re someone who feels depressed and doesn’t know what to do, the professional counselors at Thriveworks Counseling are standing by to offer compassionate and effective help.
Starting Therapy for Depression With Thriveworks in Valencia, CA
Our goal at Thriveworks is to make getting help for mental and emotional issues as easy as possible.
We offer therapy sessions on evenings and weekends, which makes it easier to fit into a busy schedule. Online counseling opportunities are available as well. With sessions by video chat or phone, many clients find this is an easier and more comfortable option. We also know that life isn’t always predictable, which is why we’re extremely flexible when it comes to cancellations.
Thriveworks also offers many exclusive benefits, including:
- Phone and email advice
- App-based billing and scheduling support
- Free eBook – “Leaving Depression Behind”
- Community discussion boards
- “Dear Abby” style Q&A with responses within 24 hours
- Exclusive video content
If you’d like to speak to a licensed counselor, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with Thriveworks Counseling in Valencia, CA today.
