Depression Counseling
What is depression?
Most mental health experts agree brain chemistry plays a major role in depression. The brain has chemicals called dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals affect our ability to feel pleasure and well-being. If the brain does not make enough of these chemicals, or if it doesn’t process them right, depression can result. But just as brain chemistry can affect life, life can cause changes in the brain. Any stressful or traumatic event can contribute to depression. Common triggers include divorce, financial instability, chronic illness, social isolation, bullying, and domestic violence.
A person with depression likely has trouble dealing with daily stresses. Sometimes the simplest activities—getting out of bed, bathing, and dressing—can feel impossible. Such struggles might make people feel helpless or alone. Even when something good happens, depression can cast a cloud of negativity over the experience. People with depression often feel anger, shame, and irritation. Sometimes these emotions can show up in the body as a variety of physical complaints.
What depression is not.
Though it is important to know what depression is, it can be equally important to know what depression is not. Depression is not simple sadness. Most people get upset when life doesn’t go their way. But someone with depression can feel so bad they struggle to do everyday activities like eat or bathe. To count as depression, the sadness must be a constant, long-lasting feeling.
Depression is not a sign of weakness. Although depression can drain your energy or motivation, having the condition does not mean you are lazy. In fact, many people with depression put forth double the effort to simply get through the day.
how therapy can help Me?
As we work together we will identify the factors that contribute to your depression and deal effectively with the psychological, behavioral, interpersonal and situational causes. We will identify options for the future and set realistic goals that enable you to enhance your mental and emotional well-being. We will also utilize the strengths you already possess and have used to successfully deal with similar feelings if you have struggled with depression in the past. We will also build your toolbox with new interventions and coping strategies to take you forward.
We will identify and address negative or distorted thinking patterns that contribute to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that often accompany depression. We will explore other learned thoughts and behaviors that create problems and contribute to depression. Therapy will help you see choices as well as gradually incorporate enjoyable, fulfilling activities back into your life as you regain a sense of control and pleasure and recreate your lifepath.