Do You Feel Like No One Understands Your Pain?
Are you suffering from a lack of motivation and energy? Does it seem like nothing in life is worth it anymore? Maybe you know that you struggle with depression, but you’re leery of telling anyone—you feel like no one would understand. As a result, you may find yourself sliding deeper and deeper into isolation, which only adds to your low mood.
Depression can affect every area of your life. In addition to feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, you may struggle with changes in your appetite and sleep. Simply getting out of bed in the morning can feel like a massive chore. Going out with friends and family may no longer interest you—you’d rather curl up and hide, as if the outside world doesn’t exist.
In the midst of your sadness, you may ask: Is there any hope for my life? Will I continue to live in this downward spiral forever?
People May Mistake Your Depression For Something It’s Not
One of the hardest parts of dealing with depression is how other people misunderstand your struggles. When you tell them that you’re depressed, perhaps they say that you’re just using depression as an excuse to be lazy. They may even mistake your depression for something it’s not. For instance, if you feel irritable and on edge all the time, people may think you’re just being angry or overly sensitive. They probably don’t realize that this constant feeling of agitation comes from a deeper sadness and emptiness in your life.
If you wish there was someone in your life who understood depression and wouldn’t judge you or talk down to you, I would be honored to be that person. My goal is to help you identify the root cause of your depression, learn to manage your symptoms, and reawaken your sense of joy.
Many People With Depression Suffer In Silence
An estimated 264 million people worldwide are diagnosed with clinical depression and it is the primary cause of disability in the United States. Yet the actual number of those with depression is probably greater than statistics show. After all, many people suffer in silence because they are afraid to come forward about their struggles.
One of the main reasons people stay silent about depression is the cultural stigma surrounding it. Many people buy into the lie that depression is a sign of weakness or laziness. Some families simply don’t believe that mental health issues are legitimate problems. They may say, “We don’t whine about mental health in this family. We pull ourselves up, work hard, and move on with life.”
Depression Is Often The Result Of Circumstances Outside Of A Person’s Control
Despite what other people may say, depression is not something you can magically brush under the rug. You can’t just make it disappear by working hard. After all, depression generally stems from factors outside of your control. There may be unresolved trauma in your past that causes low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness. Major life changes like divorce, losing a loved one, and getting fired from a job can all lead to depression. Or perhaps your depression is genetic in nature and runs in your family.
You may tell yourself that you can work through depression on your own. And while that determination is admirable, overcoming depression alone isn’t always possible. After all, the condition drains your energy and motivation, the very things you need to be able to help yourself.
Thankfully, you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting yourself. In therapy, I am here to walk with you every step of the way and be there for you when your depression becomes too much.
Depression Treatment Is A Chance To Embrace Your Authentic Self And Learn New Coping Skills
Let’s face it: the people in your life may not understand what it’s like to live with depression. Even when they try to help you, they may end up invalidating your pain or making you feel like it’s all your fault. Here in depression treatment, I want to do just the opposite. I will provide you with a safe space to embrace your authentic self and explore your feelings without any shame or judgment.
While I want to teach you about depression and equip you with new coping skills, the most important part of therapy is the relationship between you and me. That’s why my first priority is establishing an atmosphere of safety, trust, and compassion. After all, I am not above you. I believe you know yourself best, so I am not going to tell you what to do. My role is simply helping you build your confidence, manage your emotions, and uncover the answers that are already inside you.
What To Expect In Sessions
The first step in depression treatment is identifying the core of your struggles and how it affects your life today. Together, we will explore any suppressed emotions or experiences that contribute to your depression. For instance, what were your relationships like as a child? Was it safe and acceptable to talk to your family about your problems? Did your parents tell you to suck up your feelings or did they encourage you to discuss them?
Exploring the past can help us create a template for understanding your struggles in the present. After all, if you grew up in an environment where you didn’t feel like you could be honest about your feelings, you may have trouble opening up to others today. The sadness and emptiness you currently feel could be a result of relationship wounds that haven’t been processed and resolved.
Tailoring Your Treatment Plan
As we work on identifying the root cause of your depression, we will also come up with coping skills that you can use in daily life. In this way, therapy is a deeply integrative process—I want to get to the core of your struggles, but I also want to give you strategies for grounding yourself in the meantime. There is a wide range of mindfulness practices I often utilize, such as meditation or deep breathing. These exercises can help you stay calm, expand your self-awareness, and enable you to process difficult emotions.
By integrating new coping skills into the process of addressing depression, I am confident that you can find relief from your symptoms. If you’re feeling hopeless, I encourage you to think of times in your life where you felt hopeless and overcame your challenges. With my help and support, I believe you can break the hold that depression has on your life.
You May Have Some Concerns About Depression Treatment…
I don’t think it’s necessary to do mental health checkups.
You probably get yearly checkups for your physical health—mental health is no different. Just like a physical wound, an emotional wound won’t go away unless you treat it. By proactively working to overcome your depressive symptoms, you’re giving yourself a chance to flourish and grow for years to come.
I don’t think I have time for therapy.
Making time for therapy isn’t easy. That’s why I offer telehealth appointments. Doing therapy online (or by phone) allows you to engage in the healing process from your home, your car, or wherever you feel comfortable. What’s more, I occasionally offer nightly or weekend appointments. No matter how busy you are, I am confident that we can fit therapy into your schedule.
How long will depression counseling take?
There is no hard-and-fast rule for how long therapy takes. You can’t intellectualize the process—it’s different for everyone, and everyone heals at their own pace. Whether you come here for a month or a year, what matters is that you experience healing and relief in whatever way is best for you.
Let Me Walk With You On Your Journey Of Healing
No one should have to face depression alone. With my help, I believe that you can overcome your symptoms and renew your sense of joy. To get started, you can call me at 561-220-4567 for a free, 15-minute phone consultation. You can also text, email me, or use the contact page.
