Depression is a condition that causes lingering feelings of being sad, out of sync with the mainstream of life and hopeless about the future. The condition can affect individuals of any age, from childhood to old age. Many people are reluctant to get treatment for their depressive symptoms or may not even know that depression is what they are experiencing. Psychotherapy and medication, often used in combination, are the main methods of treating depression.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a mental health problem that can occur as a result of physical, psychological, genetic and environmental factors. A number of different types of depression can affect individuals. It can cause a wide range of symptoms that may include physical health. Sometimes, medical conditions can cause depressive symptoms, and even medications you take for physical problems can lead to depression. Both medical intervention and psychological counseling may play a part in depression treatment. For some people, counseling and therapy may be sufficient to manage symptoms of depression. However, long-term depression may require medication on a regular basis to manage symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Depression
Depression can demonstrate as a wide range of different types of symptoms. Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness are common, but other symptoms may also indicate depression. You may experience profound fatigue or feelings of heaviness. You may feel restless or irritable on a frequent basis. The activities you once enjoyed may provide no pleasure for you. You may have trouble concentrating or making decisions. You memory may be faulty and unreliable. You may develop sleep problems, either sleeping too much or having difficulty getting a full night’s sleep. You may eat too much or have little appetite, which may cause weight changes. Body aches, headaches or digestive upsets may be a constant problem. You may have fleeting thoughts of suicide or may even attempt suicide.
How Therapy Can Help Manage Depression
Talk therapy can help individuals explore past trauma and issues from the past that may contribute to depression. Your therapist can also provide practical tools to deal with life circumstances that contribute to depression, with therapeutic methods such as cognitive behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy and others. Medication may be a part of your therapy that can help individuals function more effectively in their daily lives.
Finding the Right Therapist For Your Needs
When choosing a therapist or counselor, you should ask about their credentials for treatment, their experience in helping people manage depression symptoms and what kind of treatments they generally use in their practice. You can also ask about whether they can prescribe medications, if necessary, and whether they take insurance.
Depression can be a troublesome condition that affects your ability to perform well in daily life and to enjoy your interpersonal relationships. Treatment is available that can help to relieve depression symptoms and allow you to enjoy life again. Start the process of healing by talking to your primary care provider who can rule out any medical problems and can direct you to counseling or therapy to help you to feel like yourself again.