Is It A Struggle to Get Through The Day?

Do you find yourself trapped in negative thinking patterns? Are you consumed with feelings of self-hatred and doubt? Perhaps you are haunted by a sense of dread and nothing seems to soothe you. Are simple tasks becoming difficult to accomplish? If you fail to complete a task, do you find yourself engaging in self-blame? Do you wish you could silence your inner critic? Do you want to rediscover purpose and joy in your life?

Living with depression can be a heavy, confusing and very lonely experience. Not only does depression create persistent feelings of sadness and cycles of self-blame and doubt, but friends and family may not understand your battle. They may also make unhelpful comments, such as “snap out of it” or “stop feeling sorry for yourself,” which can make it hard to reach out and lead to increased isolation. You may also find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning and struggle to get through work and other tasks throughout the day. Depression can make everything feel hard and heavy, and you may even find yourself wondering, “what’s the point?”

You Are Not Alone in Your Depression

Many people experience depression at some point in their lives. In 2012, an estimated 1 in 10 Americans met the criteria for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. There is no single known cause for depression. However, genetics, past history, environmental stressors and other causes, such as loss, illness and life transitions all play a role in the development of depression. Although depression is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders, there is no need for you to have a specific diagnosis in order to experience depression symptoms.

The good news is that there are many effective treatments for depression, including therapy, meditation and/or medication. One of the most effective methods of depression treatment, however, particularly in the beginning, is to have someone to talk freely with about challenging and painful thoughts, emotions and physical symptoms. Therapy provides a unique space to openly express and explore the underlying causes and symptoms of your depression in a safe, supportive environment.

Depression Treatment Can Help You Live a Happier, More Fulfilling Life

Through depression treatment, you can learn to better manage your symptoms. You can learn to disengage your inner critic, engage in new behaviors and uncover the root causes of your pain. In sessions, you can develop self-knowledge, mindfulness and self-compassion to help you better cope with stress, reengage with friends and family and rediscover purpose and joy in your life.

One key element to alleviating depression is to develop a mindfulness meditation practice. A key aspect of mindfulness meditation is to allow yourself to simply experience the present moment without self-judgment.

A great deal of suffering from depression arises from difficult emotions, such as feelings of sadness, irritability and discontent, as well as rejecting the current circumstances in your life. When you allow yourself to feel all your emotions, even the difficult ones, you become more aware of moments of relief in the midst of your current suffering. Another advantage of mindfulness meditation is that it allows you to concentrate well enough to see past your mind’s distractions. It also gives you the chance to evaluate the patterns of thought and emotion that contribute to the development of your symptoms. Through this practice and by exploring your thoughts and feelings openly in sessions, you can begin to reframe negative self-talk and begin thinking more realistically about what is occurring in your life – both internally and externally. More positive and practical thoughts can lead to feeling better emotionally, too.

Contacting a therapist can be a very daunting task. However, with the right therapist, you can begin to see your way out of the darkness of depression. You can learn to lead a happier, healthier, more productive and more satisfying life.

But, you may still have questions or concerns about depression treatment…

I’ve tried therapy before and it hasn’t worked. How do I know it will work this time?

If therapy didn’t work for you in the past, it’s possible that the therapist or a particular approach were not the right match for you. One of the main factors in having a successful outcome is having an open, supportive and trusting relationship between you and your therapist. At In-depth we are committed to working collaboratively with you to understand your needs, set reasonable goals and determine the best plan for your depression treatment.

I’m worried that depression treatment will take years.

There are many different kinds of therapy and it is true that in-depth therapy can last for years. Although we prefer the longer-term model of therapy, we am aware that individuals have different needs and we will adjust our approach to working for shorter periods of time when needed.

Depression treatment is too expensive. How can I afford it?

Taking care of your emotional well-being is an investment in your overall health. Emotional symptoms can lead to physical symptoms, such as generalized pain and fatigue. As a result, not only can you save money on future depression treatment, but you can save on medical expenses as well. Furthermore, getting help now can lead to you living a more fulfilling and productive life. You can connect better with others and be more interested in and productive at work, which can be priceless.

Get Relief from Your Depression- Call Today to Start Depression Treatment

If you suffer from depression and are ready to find relief, call us today at (415) 547-0608 for a 20-minute free consultation. Depression treatment can give you a new outlook on life and help you move forward with more energy, confidence and contentment.