Most people misunderstand depression. A common idea myth is that depression means weakness. If you have, or think you may have, depression, we have the training and experience to give you the tools you need. It’s important that whatever kind of depression therapy you receive is the right type for you and allows you to heal at whatever pace you can handle.
Symptoms of Depression
Depressed mood, including irritability, most of the time
Loss of interest in most activities
Significant weight loss or weight gain
Sleep disturbance – too much or not enough
Sluggishness or significant jittery feelings
Fatigue , guilt or feelings of worthlessness
Trouble concentrating
Ignoring self care
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
If you have any of these depression symptoms and aren’t sure, don’t self-diagnose. It’s popular in our culture to label everything a mood disorder. There is a big difference between a mood problem and a mood disorder! Seek a professional opinion.
MYTH: I will be pressured to take medication. Frankly, most depression does not need medication because it’s situational. The best depression help you can receive takes all circumstances into consideration. It can come from many angles, sometimes all at once: job, family, marriage, friends, past memories…. A good therapist prefers to take the path of least resistance first, and turn to medication only if it is clearly warranted. Research shows that our belief system about things in our life either leads to resolution of stress or it can keep problems going. Psychotherapy helps you get to the root of this quickly.
MYTH: If medication is recommended, that means I’m too weak to overcome it myself. Alternatives to medication are always discussed first, but true clinical depression has a physiological component that is real. It can even be inherited from one generation to another. It can’t be eliminated by willing yourself to feel better, and may very well require medication to control. Think about it – what does medication do? It adds a chemical to your body to balance things out better. Research clearly shows that at least some depression must be addressed with medication. Most physicians still recommend psychotherapy along with it because there are usually other factors impacting your depression.
MYTH: If I am asked to take medication bad side effects might happen. You are the customer. If you don’t like a medication for any reason, talk to your doctor and insist this be addressed. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.
MYTH: My situation is too much of a mess and no one can help me. It’s the therapist’s job to look at your situation and help you determine what kind of strategy is right for you. This includes a comprehensive exploration of your symptoms, an assessment of all the influences in your life and clear recommendations about what will help. This process is very orderly and is designed to simplify your efforts to feel better. With the right strategy, progress is within reach.
MYTH: I’ve tried a lot of things on my own and nothing works, so you can’t help. If you’ve tried things on your own, you might actually be the best candidate for psychotherapy! Decades of research has uncovered some extremely effective tools for addressing depression. You will be given the tools, shown how to use them, and given support every step of the way. The only requirement is that you want to get better and will put in the effort. Getting the process started is the hardest thing for folks who are feeling de-motivated.