Depression Therapy & Treatment
Free Yourself from Depression and Create a Life That’s Truly Worth Living
If your “down days” have turned into weeks … if you often feel sad, guilty, or hopeless, or you’ve lost interest in the activities and people that once brought a smile to your face, you may well be suffering from chronic or severe depression.
Of course, we all have our less-than-stellar days. And feeling sad is nothing to be ashamed of … sadness is a natural human emotion.
But depression is more than just feeling sad from time to time.
Depression is a painful, lonely experience that seems to slowly suck all of the joy out of life. And if you’re struggling with it, I don’t have to tell you how isolating or debilitating it can be.
Sleeping too much or too little each night, not having the energy to get out of bed in the morning, complete loss of appetite or eating too much to compensate for the hole you feel inside, having little to no interest in sex, or even conversations, and that’s not to mention how difficult it can be to stay focused or think clearly … depression can make our relationships and our lives feel meaningless.
And if you’re struggling with depression, I know it may feel like no one – including yourself – understands why you feel this way.
However, there is a reason you feel the way you do. And, even more importantly, help is available!
Depression Treatment: Getting the Help You Need and Deserve
If you even believe you may be struggling with depression, the first thing to do is schedule an appointment with your doctor.
A myriad of physical conditions, such as nutritional deficiencies, infections, and allergies can lead to symptoms of depression.
However, if your physician and you rule out any possible physical causes for your depression, the next step is to find a mental health professional who specializes in treating depression.
“But I’m not crazy,” you say?
Good, because I don’t work with anyone who’s “crazy.”
All of my clients are high-functioning individuals who are looking to work through and overcome one or more obstacles that are keeping them from enjoying the best relationships and the best life possible.
And as with feelings of anxiety and stress, depression is often caused by our unconscious thoughts and beliefs about ourselves and the world around us.
Of course, some people are genetically predisposed to depression.
And depending on the cause and severity of your depression, you may need some form of antidepressants (such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors – SSRIs – such as Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, or Zoloft) to help you cope with depression’s symptoms and regain functioning long enough for counseling and therapy to be effective.
As a board certified psychiatrist, I can prescribe just such medications, if and when they’re indicated.
However, even if you do need anti-depressants to regain some semblance of normalcy and control, you should still get some professional counseling or psychotherapy with a therapist who specializes in treating depression.
That’s why, although I do prescribe medications to those who need them to deal with severe symptoms depression, the focus of my work is creating a compassionate, non-judgmental, trusting relationship with you, so you can be open enough to explore who you really are and do the deep work necessary to truly heal and grow.
Unlike medications alone, counseling and psychotherapy can help you:
- Acknowledge and work through any past traumas that are contributing to your depression;
- Identify and change unhelpful or inaccurate beliefs and perceptions about yourself and others;
- Learn new ways of thinking about and reacting to life events;
- Resolve any relationship issues that are contributing to your depression;
- Overcome feelings of guilt you may be harboring unnecessarily; and
- Develop skills and techniques to cope with depression’s symptoms, other issues such as ADHD, as well as the side effects of any medications you’re taking.
What’s more, because counseling and psychotherapy focus on helping you acknowledge, work through, and overcome the thoughts and beliefs that have led to your depression, they can help you move forward with that much more confidence that your depression won’t return.
In short, while antidepressants can be helpful and are sometimes necessary, only counseling and psychotherapy can help you learn the skills and tools necessary to create the happiness and joy you desire!
Is Therapy for Depression Right for You?
Change is rarely easy, and creating positive, lasting change in your life requires time, commitment, and a good deal of work.
That having been said, counseling and psychotherapy have been shown time and time again to be the most effective treatments for those who are looking to overcome depression and experience all of the joy life has to offer!
Ultimately, only you can decide whether depression counseling or psychotherapy are right for you.
But, I’d encourage you to ask yourself …
How long have you been struggling with feelings of depression?
What would it be worth to you to not feel that way any longer?
What do you have to lose by getting professional help?
If you’d like to find out whether or not medications can help, or are ready to explore who you are and do the work necessary to create the rewarding relationships and life you desire and deserve, I encourage you to contact me today and schedule an appointment. You’ve got little, if anything, to lose and a life of happiness and joy, a life you truly love, to gain.