If you were to ask a group of people who’ve suffered from depression to define the illness, you’ll hear a variety of answers. It is a very personal experience that millions of people, all over the world, experience. Depression manifests in different ways for different people. One thing is certain though: depression is a difficult illness that can destroy your life if left unresolved. Recognizing some of the more common symptoms of depression might help you know if and when to start depression counseling.
6 signs of depression
-
A sense of despair
Feeling sad because your favorite team just lost the championship game is very different to suffering from depression. Depression is much deeper and more pervasive than sadness or frustration. Many people with depression describe it as a sense of despair that engulfs everything they do and everything they feel.
-
Nothing matters anymore
Depression saps your energy, your focus, your concentration and your joy. You just don’t care about anything and nothing matters anymore. Even the people you love most, become unimportant. Sadly, if you have struggled with depression for some time, this feeling becomes the norm. You become so accustomed to it, that it is hard to identify things and people that do matter. Depression takes everything away from you.
-
Feeling sluggish
Depression doesn’t only take its toll on your emotions and mental state, italso impacts you physically. People with depression tend to feel
sluggish. I’ve heard it described as though they are “moving through molasses”. Energy is depleted and it takes considerable effort just to get out of bed in the morning.
-
Lack of motivation
Similar to that sluggish feeling, your motivation feels torpid. Finding the will to engage in new tasks, or complete existing commitments might feel impossible. Worse than that, it doesn’t feel as if it matters anyway!
-
Physical ailments
When you notice that you are struggling with inexplicable aches and pains, that not even your doctor can diagnose, you may be suffering from depression. When you’re depressed, the chemicals in the brain that signal pain are impacted by the brain systems contributing to depression. These physical aches and pains are very real and further serve to exacerbate feelings of sadness – becoming an unhealthy feedback loop.
-
Thoughts of harming yourself
Sadly, depression can be so devastating that you might think the only way to stop the distress you are feeling, is to harm yourself. If you are experiencing these feelings it is imperative that you seek help immediately.
If you have experienced any of these 6 signs, then it’s time to start depression counseling.
As depression progresses, it feeds on itself like a snowball rolling downhill. The longer someone is depressed, the worse the depression gets. However, the sooner you begin to get help, the sooner you will start to feel better.
Begin Depression Counseling in Encinitas, CA
Depression doesn’t have to ruin your life! With help and support, you can conquer your depression, move past it, and go on to live a joyful life. Our Encinitas, CA clinic has caring therapists who specialize in anxiety. To start your counseling journey, follow these steps:
- Contact Headway Therapy.
- Meet with one of our expert therapists.
- Start feeling better.
Other Counseling Services at Headway Therapy
Counseling for depression is not the only service we offer in our Encinitas therapy group. Other mental health services at Headway Therapy include marriage counseling, therapy for anxiety, therapy for teens, therapy for children, counseling and support for infertility, and therapy for pregnant and postpartum families. We look forward to connecting with you!
Recent Comments