Depression
People often misunderstand depression as just feeling “blue” or down in the dumps, but it’s so much more complicated than that.
Long story short, depression sucks.
It can rob you of peace, hope and happiness, of your ability to connect with other people, and even your will to live.
Depression is one of the most common and the most dangerous of mental health issues— the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) reports an average of 123 suicides per day— and the vast majority of those deaths could be prevented with proper treatment.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) list the symptoms of depression as the following:
-Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
-Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
-Irritability
-Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
-Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
-Decreased energy or fatigue
-Moving or talking more slowly
-Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
-Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
-Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
-Appetite and/or weight changes
-Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
-Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment.
NIMH stresses that you don’t have to have all of these symptoms to be diagnosed with depression, but that if you can identify at least three things on this list that are not going away, depression is probably what you’re dealing with.
If so, Sound Mind Counseling can help. We specialize in treating depression by using an evidence based approach that both unravels the root cause of the problem and helps clients learn targeted skills that allow them to better manage moods. You can expect not just relief, but to reclaim your life, your relationships, and your sense of purpose and joy.
Freedom from depression is possible. If you’re overwhelmed and exhausted from your own suffering, reaching out to a professional could be the single most important, most powerful thing you ever do.
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