DEPRESSION
Depression is a cluster of symptoms that may include negative mood and sadness, low motivation, fatigue, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, irritability, thoughts of suicide, and unexplained physical problems.
There’s a heaviness to depression. You may feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. There are things you know you “should” be doing but can’t seem to work up the energy or motivation to do them. This can sometimes keep you in an endless cycle of negative feelings towards yourself, others, and the world. As such, you might feel hopeless or find yourself asking “what’s the point?”
The hardest part of treating depression is taking the first step. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based intervention that has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms for most people. Using this approach, we’ll identify your goals, break them down into small steps, and make a plan for taking action. We’ll uncover some of your negative thinking patterns so we can explore other ways of understanding your experience that can change your outlook on life. We’ll also take stock of your lifestyle and assess your relationships, diet and exercise, employment or school, living situation, physical health, and so forth.
Depression is different from grief. Grief is triggered by a specific loss. It feels very intense in the days and weeks after the loss, and reappears sporadically for months or years down the line (especially when confronted with memories or reminders). Depression is more persistent and long-term, with very few “breaks” of positive emotions and happiness.