Depression is a common mental illness affecting millions of people worldwide, but it’s not always easy to know when it’s time to seek help. Everyone goes through periods of sadness and can feel down, but sometimes depression can become so severe that it interferes with daily activities and affects quality of life. In this blog post, we will explore when depression is serious and outline a few steps individuals can take to manage it, including psychotherapy and counseling.
Depression is a serious condition that should not be taken lightly, and it can be challenging to know when it’s time to seek help. If you’re feeling sad and unhappy most of the time, have lost interest in things you used to enjoy, or feel hopeless or helpless, it may be time to reach out to a mental health professional.
Other symptoms of depression include:
- Significant changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of depression over an extended period (>2 weeks), it is best to seek help from trained professionals.
One of the most effective methods of treating depression is through psychotherapy. A trained therapist can help you address negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your depression. Psychotherapy includes several approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and psychodynamic therapy that help you identify and address the underlying causes of depression. In CBT, a therapist helps you recognize and modify negative thought patterns, while IPT focuses on unhealthy relationships and interpersonal communication patterns. Psychodynamic therapy helps you understand earlier experiences that influence your mental and emotional processes. If you are struggling with depression, and it is taking over your life, trained professionals can help.
Another effective method is counseling. In counseling, a professional will listen to you talk about what’s been troubling you and help you come up with a plan to cope with it. They may also teach you strategies to manage your symptoms and provide you with support and encouragement as you work through your depression. Counseling may be a good first step or a supplementary support to psychotherapy for individuals battling depression.
Depression is a serious illness that can be difficult to manage alone. If you’re struggling with depression, it’s essential to know when to reach out for help. Symptoms such as lasting sadness, hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of self-harm can indicate that depression is serious and getting worse. Psychotherapy and counseling can help individuals heal from the underlying causes of depression and come up with strategies to manage symptoms. Seeking out professional support should not be stigmatized. It is a step in the right direction for the betterment of your health and overall quality of life.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Josh Zettel, Psychotherapist, or another Kitchener psychotherapist at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
