Online Depression Therapy
Do I have Depression?
Depression can look different for everyone. You may appear fine on the outside, but in reality you’re struggling big time. You might be feeling sad, stuck, alone and overwhelmed not knowing why you feel the way you do. Is it hard to pinpoint or untangle why you feel off? Have you been declining invitations, would rather be left alone and sleep? Have you been thinking negatively of your self and others? Do you miss your old happy self? If any of these questions struck a chord, you may want to consider if you’re struggling with depression.
Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life, but when emotions such as hopelessness and despair take hold and just won’t go away, you may have depression. More than just sadness in response to life’s struggles and setbacks, depression changes how you think, feel, and function in daily activities. It can interfere with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and enjoy life. Just trying to get through the day can be overwhelming.
Depression can sometimes feel debilitating, have you feeling intense sadness, hopelessness, guilt, anxious, or anger; others feel lifeless, empty, insecure, suicidal, self-critical, apathetic, and may have poor concentration and sleep issues. Depression can also arise from experiences with trauma, systemic oppression, racism, anxiety, grief, death and loss, postpartum, chronic health issues and dysfunctional family dynamics. When you experience depression, left untreated it can become a serious health condition. But it’s important to remember that feelings and thoughts of helplessness and hopelessness are symptoms of depression and not necessarily the reality of your situation. If you notice that you are experiencing the aforementioned thoughts and feelings, it may be time to seek a professional therapist.
No matter how hopeless you feel, you can get better. By understanding the cause of your depression and recognizing the different symptoms and types of depression, you can take steps to feeling better and overcoming depression.
Some first steps you can take to lift your mood prior to seeking professional help include:
reaching out to people such as friends or loved ones to reduce feelings of isolation
communicate your thoughts and feelings with a supportive friend or family member
get your body moving whether it be exercising or stretching, any physical movement will do
check in with your primary care physician to determine if anything medical is contributing to your depression
find ways to engage in the world such as walking, spending time in nature, creating or finding a hobby you enjoy
You may not feel instantly happy at first, but with time you may start to feel better.
When do I seek professional help?
If you are still struggling, haven’t connected with family and friends, and lifestyle changes aren’t reducing your depressive symptoms— it may be time to meet with a professional therapist. Therapy can provide you with tools to decrease your feelings of sadness and isolation while giving you the confidence and purpose to live in alignment with your values. With time and commitment, therapy can also help you hone in on your personal strengths, tune into your inner resiliency, identify and combat those negative thoughts and patterns, develop coping strategies and reduce negative, critical self-talk. There are also times that treatment can include consulting with a psychiatrist to determine if psychotropic medications can aid in reducing your depression.
It takes courage to reach out for help and I applaud you for considering therapy to get back to feeling at ease and re-engaging with life. Please don’t hesitate to book a consultation below to get started on your growth and healing.