Having depression is not just having a bad day but so much more. It is something that continues to impact a person’s daily functioning over a while. Depression impacts every part of a person’s life. It changes a person’s thoughts, behaviors, feelings, relationships, and everything in their life.
Benefits of Counseling for Depression
Counseling for depression is a powerful decision. A key benefit of counseling is the improvement of daily life management. Begin to enhance your motivation, set realistic goals, and increase your self-care. We get it. Sometimes it is hard to get out of bed, you don’t feel like eating, and combing your hair is a chore you can’t do. You might be the person who eats way too much and can barely make it to work and or school, possibly both. Or you might be the person who hasn’t changed clothes for days or left your house. Starting counseling for depression is a way to refocus and rebuild your life. Counseling with us helps you heal.
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Signs and symptoms of depression
There are many different symptoms of depression and we all deal with the symptoms in different ways. Some people may avoid feelings of depression by distracting themselves. Others will try to control the feelings that influence them. Others are taken over by the symptoms to the point where they become practically paralyzed by them. Some act out in unhealthy ways by abusing drugs or alcohol. The signs and symptoms of depression include the following:
- Appetite change, eating too much or too little
- Difficulty concentrating on things such as reading, work assignments, being involved with others, watching television
- Feeling sad, down, hopeless, powerless, and helpless
- Feelings of shame or of not being good enough
- Feeling lethargic and having no or low energy
- Low sense of self and self-worth
- Loss of interest or pleasure
- Loss of interest in sex
- Psychomotor changes, agitation, pacing, pulling at the skin, rubbing hands, slowed speech, increased pauses before answering
- Sleep disturbances, sleeping too much or too little
- Thoughts that you would rather be dead or possibly hurt yourself in some way if you are experiencing some or all of these symptoms you should see a counselor or a doctor.
Depression and trauma
There is a connection between trauma and depression. Traumatic experiences often increase and worsen depression. The distress caused by traumatic life events overwhelms and disrupts people’s ability to cope. This leads to leads to emotional and psychological distress. This distress can manifest as depression.
The changes in the brain caused by trauma make a person more susceptible to depression. Additionally, the stress and emotional pain from trauma depletes a person’s coping skills and increases the risk of depressive symptoms. If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma and depression, it is important to seek professional counseling. As trained counselors, we provide effective support and guidance. We know how to help you navigate your path to recovery with compassion and understanding.
Narcissistic abuse and depression
The significant sadness and depression that come from the hurt of narcissistic abuse is difficult to process on your own. Learning how to heal from the abandonment, betrayal, and a host of other unpleasant emotions caused by a person you felt vulnerable with is painful. Depression related to narcissistic relationships is a different level of hurt. It causes you to question your reality, your truth, and yourself. It’s like being in love with a ghost. The person you once loved isn’t real.
Grief and depression
Depression is a stage in the grief process. It’s more than sadness that makes life difficult to manage. Working through the despair depression causes is hard to overcome without professional support. It is one of the more difficult stages to work through. This is where many people tend to get stuck when life is difficult. The feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are not impossible to overcome with support.
Causes of depression
It may be hard to determine if the depression was due to a specific life event or a biological factor. Some factors that may contribute to depression are:
- Biological/Psychological
- Family history of depression
- Adjustment difficulties/change of life events
- Low-self-esteem/negative self-image
- Stress
- Negative worldview
- Loss of a job
- Breakup/divorce
- Death of a loved
- Poor physical health
- Chemical imbalances.
Different types of depression
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Persistent Depressive disorder (Dysthymia) is characterized by a major depressed mood that occurs for most days for at least 2 years or at least 1 year in children. It is often described as sad or down in the dumps.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is described as irritability, feeling dissatisfied, and anxiety symptoms that occur repeatedly during the premenstrual phase of the cycle and remit around the onset of the menses or shortly thereafter.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
This type of depression typically happens in the winter months, it usually starts in the Fall and continues throughout the winter months. SAD is sometimes described as the “winter blues”. People who suffer from SAD generally experience SAD around the same time each year. They also experience a shift around the same time each year.
Treatments for depression
There are several ways to treat depression. Therapy is one way to treat it, this is where Flourishing Hope Counseling comes in. Medication treatment, as well as hospitalization and self-help, are other options to consider. In some cases, a combination of medication and counseling is very helpful in supporting a person to address depression concerns. In some severe cases, people are hospitalized.
We do not prescribe medication. You are encouraged to see your medical doctor, psychiatrist, or nurse practitioner to receive medication management. If we both decide that it would be an appropriate form of treatment, then we would be happy to refer you to a practitioner.
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Let’s embark on a transformative journey together. Our process is designed to help you heal. We will guide you to safety, help you rebuild, and teach you how to invite joy into your life.