If you have clicked on this page, you may be wondering about depression and depression treatment. Whether you are searching for yourself or for a loved one, information is the first step to understanding your mood better.
What is depression?
“Depression is the most unpleasant thing I have ever experienced. . . . It is that absence of being able to envisage that you will ever be cheerful again. The absence of hope. That very deadened feeling, which is so very different from feeling sad. Sad hurts but it’s a healthy feeling. It is a necessary thing to feel. Depression is very different.” – J.K. Rowling
Oftentimes, sadness is confused with depression. Think of a time when you felt sad, that desire to cry and heaviness in your stomach. It may have felt awful, but it passed and you distinctly remember that you felt sad.
Now consider how you have felt recently. Have you felt numb, unable to determine what your true feelings are? Do you feel an overwhelming sense of sadness, guilt or shame, despite compliments from others? Have you pulled back from meeting with friends and family, choosing to be alone instead? Has your energy felt low? Perhaps you recognize that you don’t enjoy your hobbies or usual fun activities? Maybe you have even noticed it is difficult to concentrate, making work or school a challenge? Does your brain seem to work as though you are swimming in mud? Do you view your world in black and white, missing the rich colors you remember?
According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), 6.9% of adults in America suffer from depression. That means 16million adults. Depression is a mood disorder that affects such things as sleep, appetite, energy, motivation, social activity, concentration and self-esteem. It can even cause physical symptoms such as pain. Depression impacts relationships, school, and work. If you have noticed changes in these areas over a period of time, you may be suffering from depression.
Shouldn’t I be able to manage depression on my own?
Depression can creep up on you. It is a subtle beast. You may not even think of yourself as depressed, just “feeling blue”. Oftentimes, there is the misconception that depression just goes away. Maybe you tell yourself, “I can pull myself out of this without help”. Maybe you think, “I must be weak if I need help”.
Depression has nothing to do with being weak, or being able to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”. Because depression has a biological base, it is not something you can reverse on your own. Seeking help is an act of courage, that acknowledges your desire to feel better than you do, and to not let depression define who you are.
I’ve decided I need help. How will depression treatment help me?
At Outside the Lines Counseling, you will be able to determine your goals in conjunction with your therapist. While the overall goal of depression treatment is to educate you about depression and to return you to a better mood state, each person experiences depression in a unique way, and your needs may be different from another person’s needs. Your input into treatment is the key to targeting those areas where your depression is most felt.
Once a plan is determined, both practical strategies and nuanced techniques will help to alleviate some of the immediate symptoms, while offering longterm ways to manage depression.
What sort of techniques and strategies are used for depression treatment?
Each person is unique and experiences depression in a unique way. Depression treatment at Outside the Lines Counseling is individualized to start where you are–if sleep and negative thoughts are your primary concerns, this is where you start. Techniques and strategies for depression may include mind-body work, addressing negative thoughts, tracking mood, mindful mediation or even expressive therapies. Most importantly, depression treatment at Outside the Lines Counseling stresses the importance of the relationship between you and your therapist. A safe, nurturing and supportive relationship is at the heart of treatment of any kind.
Will I have to take medication?
Sometimes, your therapist may recommend seeing a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner for a medication assessment. You always have the right to decline any recommendation your therapist makes. You may feel uncomfortable with medication and wish to pursue managing your depression via different strategies, such as exercise, diet, and therapy alone. You can discuss how best to address this with your therapist.
At Outside the Lines Counseling, recommendations to seek a medication assessment with a qualified practitioner are given thoughtfully and carefully, always after an assessment period and discussion with you. This assessment takes into account the whole person–your family history, spiritual beliefs, social life, physical concerns and strengths.
For a free 10 minute phone consultation or to make an appointment call:
Outside the Lines Counseling
410-245-9722