Do You Often Feel Sad, Tired and Unable to Find Pleasure in Life?
Are you having difficulty getting out of bed in the morning? Do you find it hard to motivate yourself to get things done during the day? Or, are you expending excessive energy in an attempt to engage with life, only to feel exhausted and drained rather than fulfilled? You may find yourself struggling to focus, withdrawing from your normal routines or isolating yourself from others. Maybe you have recently received really bad news or have gone through a very unwanted change—whether this is from an illness or a job loss or a relationship break up. Perhaps you fear being seen as weak, or have come to believe that you don’t have anything to offer. It may seem as though you haven’t achieved anything, making you feel there is no meaning in life or any point to your efforts. Does your mind bombard you with self-critical thoughts? Do you wish you could just “shake this mood” or “just be happy”?
Symptoms of depression can affect the entire body and mind. You may feel sad, low, sluggish, stuck, irritable or even anxious, and notice yourself having unwanted thoughts about death or self-harm. Perhaps you feel consumed with negative thoughts about yourself or the world at large, especially if you find yourself glued to the news. Hoping to escape for a while, you might be watching too much TV or excessively focusing upon other forms of social media. You may oversleep or have trouble getting to sleep, or overeat or feel unable to eat at all. Perhaps you just can’t muster the energy to clean your bathroom or put on your makeup or take a shower or get dressed. Maybe there is nothing you really feel like doing anyway.
Many People Struggle With Depression
Depression does not discriminate. It strikes people of all ages, cultures, classes and ethnicities throughout the world. Literally, millions of Americans struggle with depression and depression symptoms in any given year. You are not alone!
Depression can actually take many forms. For some, it is more chronic and persistent—with consistent depression symptoms occurring for many months (or years) with little interruption. Others find depression comes and goes, whether associated with changes in the seasons, or changes in the body (e.g. menstruation, after childbirth, menopause, side effects of medications), or whether connected to specific stressful life event (e.g. the end of a relationship, the loss of a job). Some recognize a pattern or a cycle while others have no idea what seems to bring painful symptoms on. And the truth is, each one of us is unique. We all experience life and face challenges in different ways.
The good news is that depression is a treatable condition. According to the European Alliance against Depression, up to 80-90 percent of the people who receive treatment for depression will feel better within 3-8 weeks. You do not have to struggle alone.
Depression Treatment Can Help You Find Relief
Most of us are not fully aware of how our constitution or our daily practices impact us. Others have a clear sense of what is upsetting them, but still feel unable to break out of harmful patterns. Sometimes we just do not know how to “reset,” make meaning of the events that we are facing or move forward. No matter what you’re experiencing, you can likely benefit from having additional support as you sort through the weeds and uncover the source of your pain. As a skilled, compassionate therapist, I can help you investigate your experience and discover a new, lighter way to live.
During the first few depression counseling sessions, I will listen and attend to what you are (and have been) experiencing. Together, we will reflect upon different aspects of your life to clarify what may be creating or exacerbating your concerns. We will review the strategies you have already tried and consider what ideas you have not yet had a chance to put into play. And then, I will engage you in a process of getting in touch with your deepest needs and hopes so that we can structure a workable plan to facilitate movement in the direction of your chosen goals.
Depression treatment offers a way to take a step back from your usual routines and typical ways of thinking about things. The time is dedicated to you—and you never have to worry about burdening anyone. Privacy is fundamental in counseling as well. Counseling is a safe space where you can voice and sort out what is on your mind and in your heart. As we work together, you will experience feeling deeply heard and understood. This can help you to deeply hear and understand yourself better as well. You can grieve losses in order to find a new sense of peace. You can discover and shift unhelpful patterns, creating new habits and thoughts that truly serve you. I am here to offer whatever support and guidance you, as an individual, need.
I have been practicing depression counseling for over 25 years now and take great pleasure in helping people recover from depression and discover solutions to their problems, symptoms and needs. It is possible for you to feel better and create a life you enjoy.
You may have questions or concerns about depression therapy…
What if I don’t want to take medications?
What you put in your body is a personal choice. Many people feel very strongly about not taking medications, preferring instead to find more “natural” solutions. Some are concerned about negative side effects; others fear medications could change their personalities. Perhaps you are not so much for or against medications as hoping to feel empowered to do what is most healthy and productive for you. I will always listen to and respect your preferences and help you consider your options on an ongoing basis.
How will depression treatment work if I am already taking medications?
As part of an initial and comprehensive assessment, I will want to know what medications you are taking so that I can most fully understand all that you are experiencing and all the variables that may be affecting you. While I do not prescribe medications myself, I would be most happy to coordinate depression counseling care with any provider you are comfortable working with—whether that be your primary care provider, specialist, psychiatrist, nutritionist, chiropractor or any other partner who is on your health team. Alternatively, if you prefer to keep all communications private and separate, that would be okay with me.
What if I have been depressed for a very long time now?
It may be that you have been struggling with symptoms of depression for months, if not years. In fact, it would not be uncommon for someone to tell me that he or she has felt depressed for as long as she or she can remember. While some have never tried counseling before, others may have seen numerous therapists. Although you may feel as though nothing will work, you are truly not alone, and I firmly believe that there are many ways to approach depression. We may quickly discover simple tools that make all the difference, or we may draw on patience and creativity to find long-lasting solutions that work for you. The amount of time you have been suffering does not have to equal the amount of time that it takes to get on a better track.
There Is Help and Hope
I invite you to call (828) 575-3073 for a free, 15-minute phone consultation. We can talk through any questions you might have about depression treatment in Asheville, NC.