Everyone has a rough day on occasion; maybe your boss got upset with you about something at work, or you got a flat tire on the way home, or your kids are sick, and you’re struggling to arrange care for them. Life can be difficult, and we all handle situations differently, depending on our mood. However, if you feel like your mood is causing you to have more difficult days than good days, you may need to consider the possibility that you are suffering from a form of depression.
What Is Depression?
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a common mood disorder that can significantly affect your daily life, disrupting your sleep, daily activities, and relationships. As a rule, you must have exhibited depressive symptoms for at least two weeks to be considered depressed.
There are several different kinds of depression, ranging in severity. They include:
- Major depression—If your mood is affected most of the time for at least two weeks, and you struggle to work, study, eat, and sleep as you should, you may have major depression.
- Persistent depressive disorder—If you have less-severe symptoms that last at least two years, you may have persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia.
- Perinatal depression—If you are pregnant or have had a baby and begin to experience symptoms of major depression, you may have perinatal depression, also known as postpartum depression.
- Seasonal affective disorder—If your depression symptoms occur only during certain parts of the year, usually in the winter, you may have seasonal affective disorder.
- Depression with symptoms of psychosis—If you have delusions or hallucinations, you may have the severe form of depression known as depression with symptoms of psychosis.
What Are Some Signs of Depression?
You may experience a variety of symptoms if you are depressed. It’s important to note that no one person will exhibit the same symptoms, and it is unlikely that you will display all of the following symptoms, but you might:
- Feel sad and empty most of the time
- Feel pessimistic or hopeless
- Get irritated, frustrated, or restless easily
- Feel worthless or helpless
- No longer enjoy your hobbies and social activities
- Have no energy and feel tired all the time
- Struggle to concentrate and remember things
- Have a difficult time making decisions
- Have a difficult time sleeping or sleeping too much
- Lose or gain weight
- Have thoughts of suicide and death or attempt suicide
- Have aches and pains in your body without knowing the cause
What Are the Causes or Risk Factors of Depression?
Depression can happen at any age, and any combination of risk factors can cause depression. Research indicates that depression is caused by genetic, biological, environmental, or psychological factors.
Depression has also been shown to occur in conjunction with other illnesses, such as diabetes or cancer. When both diseases present themselves simultaneously, the symptoms of both conditions are often more severe.
The main risk factors for depression are:
- A history of depression in your family
- A significant change in your life, such as trauma or stress
- An illness you have or a medication you take
How Should You Prepare for a Counseling Session?
Once you have scheduled therapy for depression, you may be wondering what you should do before your appointment with us. It’s important that you prepare yourself mentally and physically for your session to get the most benefit from it. Here are some preparation tips to consider:
1. Consider your goals–What do you want to happen at your session?
2. Be realistic about what will happen—One appointment won’t “fix” everything.
3. Schedule the appointment during a good time for you—Make sure you can arrive on time and focus on the appointment.
4. Dress comfortably—Wear comfortable clothes to feel more at ease with the situation.
5. Think about questions you may have—If you can’t think of any questions ahead of time, don’t be afraid to ask questions during the session.
6. Be honest with yourself—You need to be open and honest about how and why you feel depressed. Spend some time reflecting on your situation.
How Can Counseling in Federal Way, Washington Help with Depression?
Our main goal at Thrive Counseling Center is to give you the tools to help you deal with your depression. We use evidence-based, proven techniques to help you make a plan for change and put that plan into action.
We strive to show you new ways of thinking and behaving. We will focus on helping you change the behaviors and habits that are serving as obstacles in your daily life. We will help you learn coping mechanisms for when things get complicated, and we will work on building your overall self-esteem in the process.
When Can You Expect Improvement in Depression Symptoms?
Although it would be wonderful if one therapy appointment could eliminate your depression, the truth is that for depressive symptoms to improve, you will need to commit to multiple sessions. However, there is no “one-size-fits-all” model for therapy. Each individual is different, and therefore, the number of sessions you may need to see improvement will be unique to you.
Will My Therapist Discuss Medications with My Primary Care Provider?
It might benefit you and improve your overall results if your therapist and your primary care provider can discuss your mental and physical well-being with each other.
If you want to give your therapist permission to talk to your primary care provider, that is your choice. You may have to fill out a form to indicate what information you want to share.
Are You Interested in Depression Counseling in Federal Way?
If you think you may be depressed, or if you want to visit with someone about how you are feeling, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Thrive Counseling Center. Our top priority is your mental health, so call (206) 567-7267 to schedule an appointment.