Depression is more than just feeling sad or going through a rough period in your life. It’s a serious mental health condition that can sap your energy and keep you from achieving your full potential. People living with the condition say that it feels like they’re in a dark place and cannot escape. Depression can be debilitating but know that you don’t have to go it alone.
Major depressive disorders are characterized by feelings of hopelessness, sadness, loneliness, and low energy levels that interfere with a person’s life. It’s one of the most common mood disorders in the United States, but many people don’t reach out for help. Left untreated, depression can worsen over time and make it more difficult to achieve your goals in life.
Fortunately, depression can be managed and treated with the right care. Our therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Counseling in Solana Beach, CA are experts in treating depression and managing its symptoms. You don’t have to go through this alone –– consider setting up a session today.
What Does Depression Look Like?
Depression has many different causes. For some, genetics play a role in the onset of the condition. Trauma, crisis, or other events can also trigger depression in some people. Some types of depression have a specific cause. For example, postpartum depression occurs after childbirth for some women and causes extreme exhaustion, anxiety and lowered mood.
Depression doesn’t look the same for everyone –– symptoms can be mild or severe and everyone experiences symptoms differently. Some common symptoms include:
- Hopelessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lack of interest in activities
- Loss of energy and motivation
- Suicidal thoughts
- Binge eating and increased weight gain
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Substance abuse
- Increased anxiety
Depressive disorders are characterized by how long these symptoms last and how intensely they are felt by the individual. Experiencing these types of symptoms frequently for a period of more than two weeks could be a sign of depression. Symptoms are often serious enough to interfere with day-to-day activities. Left untreated, depression can wreak havoc on job performance, damage personal relationships, and lower a person’s quality of life.
Depression isn’t just “a case of the blues” and people who live with the disease can’t just snap out of it. If you suffer from depression or you think you might be living with depression, don’t get discouraged –– treatment is available. Therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Counseling in Solana Beach, CA are trained in a variety of techniques to diagnose and treat major depressive disorders.
How To Treat Depression
As we’ve discussed, there are many forms of depression and treating depression can look different for everyone. Thankfully, depression can be treated and managed by working with a mental health professional. Psychotherapy is commonly used to treat depression, but some clients can benefit from a combination of therapy and medication.
Psychotherapy involves talking about your symptoms, thoughts, and experiences with a licensed mental health professional. Your provider may use research-backed techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you examine your emotions and patterns of thought. Therapy can help you develop ways to cope and solve problems, identify positive and negative behaviors, and regain a sense of control and satisfaction in your life.
Some treatment plans will incorporate medication alongside therapy. These medications help stabilize your mood and reduce the major symptoms of depression. Medication isn’t always used to treat depression but your therapist will work with you to determine if medication could help and make sure you understand your prescription.
Depression might be scary but it can be managed by working with a licensed professional. Counselors and therapists can provide support to help you improve your mental and emotional well-being.
Starting Depression Counseling in Solana Beach, CA
If you’re struggling with depression, we want you to know that help is available. Consider working with a counselor or therapist from Thriveworks Counseling in Solana Beach, CA so we can help you overcome your symptoms and get your life back on track.
We offer convenient evening and weekend hours, online counseling, a flexible cancellation policy, and access to counselors via email or phone between sessions. You can get an appointment set up immediately through our easy-to-use online scheduling tool or by calling our office. Some of our new clients are able to talk to a therapist within 24-48 hours. We also accept many major insurance plans –– getting care might be more affordable than you thought.
Contact us if you’re ready to get started with one of our depression counselors or therapists. Our scheduling team will find an appointment that fits into your schedule and answer any questions you might have.
Here at Thriveworks Counseling in Solana Beach, CA, we pride ourselves on helping people find happiness and comfort in their lives. Call us today to set up an appointment with a depression counselor or therapist.
