Help for Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues. Depression can be caused by genetics, prolonged grief, a history of trauma, situational stress, or biological deficiencies. Many people visualize depression as inability to get out of bed or chronic tearfulness. Although these symptoms are very much a part of depression, it can look different for different people.

Changes in eating patterns

Finding that it is difficult to eat, perhaps skipping meals because you don’t have an appetite. Or, eating between meals, especially carbs and sugar, even if you aren’t hungry.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep usually due to racing thoughts or replaying the day over in your head.

Hypersomnia and Fatigue

Sleeping much of the day, difficulty getting out of bed, or making through the day without a nap.

Low motivation

Difficulty following through on tasks, putting them off, or even finding the will to begin. Coupled with fatigue, many people believe they are “just being lazy” but depression can make it very difficult to find strength to get through the day.

Irritability or Anger

Irritability is often an overlooked symptom of depression. Feeling agitated with family members or coworkers over small things that wouldn’t normally upset you. Difficulty staying patient with the kids. Anger can be used to protect ourselves from the more vulnerable emotions of depression.

Depressed Mood

A depressed mood can encompass sadness, feelings of emptiness or hopelessness, or even feeling numb or “blah”.

Difficulty Concentrating

Clients with depression have described it as “being in a fog”. Difficulty concentrating, staying focused on anything that takes effort may seem daunting.

Thoughts of Death

Sometimes lows can feel so overwhelming that you may want to give up, hurt yourself, or end it all. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please know that there is always help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 and Third Level Crisis Center 231-922-4800 are available 24/7.

Low Self-Esteem

Low self-worth or feelings of shame can be a root cause of depression. If we don’t feel good about who we are, it can be very difficult to feel good about anything else.

Every client is different and I approach each individual as such. A treatment plan is tailored to each person I meet with based on their symptoms and goals. Some of the treatment methods I use for depression are teaching coping and distress tolerance skills, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive restructuring, and mindfulness techniques.

If you are in the Traverse City area and feel like you have been struggling with symptoms of depression or are interested in learning more about these techniques, please feel free to contact me at 231-714-0292. I'd love to talk about how I can help you. You don't have to go through this alone.