- Are you sleeping more than usual or lacking the motivation to get out of bed?
- Have no appetite or eating more than the recommended portions?
- Feel a strong sense of hopelessness or helplessness?
- Find no pleasure in activities you once enjoyed?
- Feel empty or drained by the smallest of activities?
- Have uncontrollable bouts of crying or extreme irritability?
- Feeling worthless, guilty, or reflecting only on all the things you’ve done wrong?
There are Classic Symptoms of Depression
These are typical symptoms of depression. You are not the only one looking for ways to cope with sadness? It is estimated 16.1 million adults suffer from depression (Anxiety Depression Society of America, 2018). These symptoms can be brought on by, grief, difficulties with personal or professional relationships, changes in the weather, starting a new job, having a baby, or retiring from a long-term job. Coping with depression can feel lonely and dark, like being trapped in a black hole.
Depression takes many forms. Clinical depression is the most common and often inhibits an individual’s ability to eat, sleep, work, and interact with family and friends. Postpartum depression affects many women between one and six months of giving birth. Seasonal Affect Disorder is a kind of depression brought on by weather changes. It usually begins in mid-fall and ends in early spring. This is very common to inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest due to the numerous months of dreariness and rain.
Together we will develop coping strategies to reduce symptoms of depression and bring joy back into your life. Will do this by creating small goals and scheduling daily activities that create a sense of purpose. Identify thoughts and feelings associated with the depressed mood and alter these thoughts. Several techniques used to alter thought processes are: reframing techniques, seeing positives, and changing unrealistic expectation to realistic goals. Together will determine the root causes of the depression and put strategies in place to combat these concerns.