Depression

“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also harder to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: It is easier to say, ‘My tooth is aching’ than to say, ‘My heart is broken.’”

– C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

Depression is not a choice. It does not discriminate. It does not matter if everything in your life seems to be going well. Depression can mute the colors of your life and make the brightness seem dull and hazy. It can be short-lived, and it can be chronic.

Oftentimes, people do not know how to respond to their depression nor how to be with others when they are depressed. We can come up with trite sayings, hoping to cheer our loved ones up.  How many times have we said or heard the following:

    • Stop focusing so much on the negative. Try to be more positive.
    • Remember, there are people who have it so much worse. You have so much to be grateful for!
    • It could be worse.
    • That was so long ago, you should learn to let go and move on.

Statements like these come with good intentions, but it perpetuates the message that the person who is suffering from depression is not doing enough to “defeat” their depression. Depression is NOT a choice.

What Can Depression Look Like?

Sadness that never seems to fully go away

Perpetually feeling that you’re not good enough

Loss of motivation and difficulty with completing basic chores (e.g., difficulty getting out of bed, difficulty with keeping up with your hygiene)

Loss of interest and generally feeling like you don’t care about anything

Feeling like you’re losing control over your emotions (e.g., random bouts of tearfulness, irritability over things that you feel are minor, etc)

Feeling alone and wanting to isolate

Wanting to just lie in bed all day even though you aren’t tired

Brain fog

Low energy

Thoughts about ending your life

 

 

 

Depression Therapy

There are many different factors and influences that can impact depression. For some folks, just talking through and processing their feelings and being heard can yield improvements. Others may need some concrete coping skills on top of processing. Some may benefit from medication to supplement therapy and proper referrals may be needed. Thusly, I utilize an integrative approach to approach each individual’s emotional process.

To learn more about other services I offer, click here.