Are you feeling sad more days than not and can’t find a way to shake it?
Have you lost interest in activities you used to find pleasurable and feel like you are limping through your days?
Do you feel like you are seeing the world through gray glasses?
If you are feeling these symptoms of depression you are not alone: one in 10 adults report experiencing depression some time in their life, and the condition is the most common cause of disability in the United States. The lifetime risk of any individual person becoming depressed is around 17 percent, and most people have their first bout of depression in their late teens or early twenties. The condition is slightly more common among women, but some researchers believe that this may be because men are less likely to seek help or because their symptoms are more likely to manifest as agitation and frustration than sadness.
Depression is different from the symptoms associated with grief, when feeling emotionally overwhelmed is normal and temporary. Depression may be indicated when feelings of sadness and despair disrupt daily life and persist for more than two weeks. Those who have experienced trauma, or are prone to anxiety, may be more likely to experience depression than those who have not. In fact, research suggests that some people may be biologically predisposed to depression due to their biology.
Depression is one of the most common reasons people seek therapy, and the condition is highly treatable. Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding depression keeps many people from seeking treatment. Disclosing that you are depressed can be a big risk as often feelings of shame and embarrassment are associated with the other symptoms.
At Lifestance Health, we know it’s normal to occasionally feel sad, but depression goes much deeper. It can create obstacles in your daily life, and leave you feeling like you’re in quicksand. But it’s possible to climb out.
Over time, therapy for depression can help you:
- Feel energized, rather than fatigued
- Regain interest in things you once enjoyed
- Improve your self-esteem
- Stop the pattern of crying spells – so you start to feel like yourself again
- Reconnect with loved ones after time spent avoiding them
- Get a peaceful night sleep after weeks or months of restlessness
- Begin to feel good again – and end depression’s discomfort and hopelessness
Our team of experienced and licensed therapists are ready to help you move past your depression today. We accept many insurance plans and offer evening and weekend appointments for your convenience. Let us know how we can help you on your road to recovery. Contact us to make an appointment.
