Has coronavirus left you feeling hopeless or stuck in place?
If you are struggling more than usual with sadness or depression right now, you’re not alone. Even if you haven’t been personally affected by the virus, you may feel disconnected from others and unable to focus at work or at home.
So many of us are worried about how the coronavirus crisis is affecting our lives. How can you stay positive when it seems like nothing you try offers relief? What can you do to stop feeling guilty or ashamed about the struggles in your life? And how can you focus on your needs when COVID-19 is causing so much pain and uncertainty for others?
Even if you and your family are safe, you might be stuck at home together 24×7, and that has made it harder than usual to take time for self-care.
With Online Therapy, I can help you understand and manage depression so you can find a renewed sense of hope and purpose.
Reach out if you would like to chat with me to see if working together makes sense
Do You Feel Tired And Defeated After Another Hopeless, Helpless Day?
Do you feel down, depleted and stuck? Do you persistently feel sad, irritable or frustrated? Do you struggle to concentrate and complete work assignments and other daily tasks? Has it become challenging for you to connect with others, even your loved ones? Are you feeling overwhelmed, uninterested in things you once enjoyed and unable to motivate yourself? Perhaps, you intellectually know that you want to make changes and feel better, but can’t and feel guilty about being unable to find a path forward. Or maybe you’ve gotten so down that you don’t seem to care about anything at all anymore. Have you resorted to unhealthy ways of coping or numbing pain, such as drugs, alcohol or compulsive sex or shopping? Do you wish you could find the desire and energy to feel differently and engage meaningfully in life again?
Depression is an isolating experience, in which most people suffer silently and feel guilty and/or alone. While depression symptoms manifest differently for everyone, women tend to feel sad, overwhelmed and lonely, whereas men often feel irritable, frustrated and tired. Lethargy is a common symptom of depression, and it may feel like no matter how much you sleep, you constantly feel exhausted. Depression can cause shifts in eating and sleeping patterns, as well as physical symptoms, such as stomach pain and headaches. Productivity at work may become stunted, and relationships with colleagues, friends and family members can become stressed. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, depression can make things feel heavy and hard, or it can infiltrate into all aspects of your life – even to the point that getting out of bed in the morning becomes impossible.
One In Five People Will Experience Depression During Their Lifetime
If you’re struggling with depression, you are not alone. Roughly 20 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives – and that’s just what has been reported. Because depression is not openly discussed, many people suffer quietly and do not seek or receive proper treatment. While some people are genetically prone to depression and struggle throughout their lives, many others develop situational depression after experiencing a trauma, loss, major life transition or chronic medical diagnosis. And, once someone experiences depression, if it’s not addressed, there is a high likelihood of reoccurrence. Thankfully, however, while depression is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health issues, it is also one of the most treatable. With the support and guidance of an experienced therapist, you can find relief and a renewed sense of purpose and hope.
Depression Treatment Can Help You Beat The Blues And Find A Brighter Path Forward
I have been successfully helping people mitigate, manage and overcome depression for over a decade. I’ll meet you where you are emotionally right now and throughout the therapy process. Through listening, understanding your experience, supportive reflection and guidance, I can help you develop strategies to feel better and create a new path forward.
In a nonjudgmental, supportive and safe space, I’ll help you identify what’s not working in your life and what you want to change. In initial sessions, we’ll move backward, breaking down your depression and exploring its roots. Once we better understand your depression, we can set practical, reasonable and achievable goals so you can begin to build self-confidence and start moving forward. It may feel like baby steps at first, but small steps add up and lead to significant changes down the road.
In sessions, we’ll also address self-esteem issues and work toward reframing the negative self-talk and self-defeating behaviors that are keeping you down, stuck and unable to make decisions. Once you are able to shift into a more positive way of thinking and view yourself differently, you can begin to feel differently and then behave differently. This cognitive behavioral therapy approach is just one of many that has been proven over and over again as an effective method for depression treatment.
With the help of the right therapist and a willingness to make changes, it is possible for you to begin feeling and functioning well again. You can see life in a brighter way and learn healthy ways to cope with stress and pain. You can begin to think and feel better about yourself and your life situation. You can reconnect with others – especially those you love – and find an easier and more enjoyable way to experience yourself and your place in the world.
Although you may know that you’re in need of help, you still may have questions or concerns about depression treatment…
Does a depression diagnosis mean that I’ll have to take medication?
While medication can be a helpful tool to mitigate depression symptoms, it can also be a short-term option to help you feel well enough to engage in therapy and other important parts of your life. Some studies suggest that therapy in combination with medication is the most effective form of depression treatment. That said, if you’re uncomfortable taking medication, there are a lot of strategies and tools that are highly effective that do not include medication. Either way, the choice to try medication is up to you, and we can discuss its use as well as other options when developing your treatment plan.
I think that I need help, but I’m concerned about how much time depression treatment will take, as well as how much it will cost.
The costs of untreated depression can be extremely high. Untreated depression can lead to extreme emotional, physical and relationship distress, too many sick days at work and even hospital visits. Taking care of both your emotional and physical health is crucial, and investing in yourself now can save you time, money and unneeded pain in the future. And, together, we can come up with a treatment plan that best suits all of your needs.
If I just give myself enough time, these feelings will pass and I’ll be okay, right?
Most people just don’t snap out of depression. Left untreated, depression can become harmful and even severe. It can cause physical problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. That said, the sooner you seek depression treatment, the sooner you’ll likely be able to reengage in your life in ways that feel good. Be proactive and seek help. In therapy, you will be provided with support, guidance, strategies and resources so you can begin feeling better, connect with loved ones and really be present in your life sooner.
You Can Find Relief
I invite you to call me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your specific situation and needs and to ask any questions you have about depression treatment and my practice.
