Navigating depression is not an easy feat- it can even feel overwhelming and isolating. Depression is not a one-size-fits-all experience. In other words, depression manifests differently for each person. Luckily, with the right self-help strategies and support from loved ones and a professional depression therapist at Anchor Therapy, you can make significant strides in managing your depression.
Depression therapy gives you a safe space to explore your emotions, comprehend your underlying emotions, and create effective coping strategies tailored to your unique set of needs. Understanding the benefits of depression counseling is the first step to starting your professional mental health care journey.
A skilled depression counselor works closely with you to offer personalized care by pinpointing triggers, patterns, and the root causes of your internal struggles. At Anchor Therapy, our depression therapists utilize evidence-based techniques to address your unique obstacles, whether through Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), or more! This type of customized mental health counseling makes sure that you receive practical support as well as structured support that is deeply relevant to your life.
Working with a depression therapist goes beyond mere symptom management- it is all about creating long-lasting resilience and emotional growth. A depression coach can help you rebuild self-esteem, fortify your relationships, and create better tools to handle future stressors. As you make progress in depression treatment, you will find that you are better equipped to reclaim your happiness and purpose. This alone can make depression therapy a transformative journey worth considering. If you are interested in learning more, continue reading this blog to dive into the three key benefits of working with a depression therapist!
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with mental health therapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, couples, and families with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, life transitions, and more. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and teletherapy sessions to residents of New Jersey, New York, and Florida.
What is depression?
Depression, or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is a common mental health disorder characterized by ongoing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities that you once enjoyed. In the United States, research from 2021 shows that 8.3% of adults, or roughly 21 million people, had at least one major depressive episode.
Depression can change the way you think, feel, and function in daily life. This often leads to emotional and physical challenges.
Here are examples of how depression can manifest:
You may struggle to find the energy or desire to pursue your goals, finish tasks, or engage in activities that you previously enjoyed and valued
Simple routines (e.g., grooming, preparing meals, etc.) can begin to feel overwhelming which leads to a decline in overall physical well-being
Fatigue and a lack of motivation can increase sedentary behavior
You may pull away from loved ones which causes feelings of isolation and reduces social interactions
As someone with depression, it may be harder for you to express your emotions or connect with other people in a meaningful way which could potentially lead to misunderstandings and/or strained relationships
For more information on this topic, check out our blog “What Leads To Depression In A Person?”.
What are the symptoms of depression?
The symptoms of depression can vary widely but it does impact the emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of a person’s life. The symptoms of depression can vary in intensity and duration; however, the symptoms are typically severe enough to impact your daily functioning.
Depression symptoms can be broken down into four broad categories:
Emotional symptoms
Physical symptoms
Cognitive symptoms
Behavioral symptoms
What are the emotional symptoms of depression?
Hopelessness - You may feel like the future has no positive possibilities which can create a sense of despair
Loss of interest or pleasure - This loss is known as anhedonia where you lose interest in hobbies, relationships, or activities that were once enjoyable
Persistent sadness - Perhaps one of the most well-known symptoms of depression is ongoing sadness or emptiness that does not seem to have a specific cause
Increased irritability - You may have low patience and frustration over small things which leads to withdrawal or outbursts
Guilt and worthlessness - Excessively blaming yourself or feeling inadequate even when it is unwarranted
For further clarity on the emotional symptoms of depression, our blog “Sadness vs Depression: When To Get Help” is a must-read.
What are the physical symptoms of depression?
Appetite or weight changes - These changes may encompass a loss of appetite and weight loss, or increased eating and weight gain. This may be tied to emotional eating (For support, check out our blog “Cultivating Good Mental Health for Intuitive Eating”)
Physical pain - Specific physical symptoms may occur without a clear medical cause, such as body aches; headaches; chronic discomfort; digestive concerns; and so on
Fatigue or low energy - An ongoing lack of physical or mental energy regardless of how much rest you get
Changes in sleep patterns - Insomnia, also known as difficulty falling or staying asleep, or hypersomnia which is excessive sleeping (For more information, read our blog “What Is The Main Cause of Insomnia?”)
Psychomotor symptoms - You may experience noticeable restlessness (e.g., pacing, fidgeting, etc.) or slowed speech, movements, and thinking which are signs of psychomotor distress
What are the cognitive symptoms of depression?
Negative thinking patterns - Ongoing thoughts of failure, self-doubt, or inadequacy which can cause your thoughts to spiral to a point of distorted beliefs about your worth (Check out our blog “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Negative Self-Talk” if you struggle with negative thinking patterns)
Difficulty concentrating - You may have trouble remembering details, focusing on tasks, or making decisions which can impact your performance at work or school
Suicidal ideation - You may have reccuring thoughts about death or dying which can range from passive to active thoughts (Feeling suicidal? Help is only a phone call away at the free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988)
What are the behavioral symptoms of depression?
Risky or harmful behaviors - For some people, depression can manifest through risky behaviors, such as substance abuse, reckless activities, or self-harm to cope with intense emotions
Decline in daily activities - You may begin to neglect responsibilities at work, home, or school, and fail to maintain basic self-care routines, such as maintaining personal hygiene
Social withdrawal - Avoiding social situations, friends, or family members, typically due to feelings of shame, fatigue, or guilt
While it is helpful to know the symptoms of depression, remember that meeting with a licensed mental health professional is the best way to determine whether or not you have a depressive disorder.
Recognizing when to seek help from a depression counselor at Anchor Therapy is important for your mental health and overall well-being.
Here are some key signs indicating that it may be time to seek the help of a professional mental health counselor for depression:
Persistent sadness or hopelessness
Difficulty managing emotions
Loss of interest in activities
Social withdrawal
Decline in productivity
Chronic fatigue
Trouble concentrating
Disrupted sleep or appetite
If the above symptoms last longer than two weeks, impact your quality of life in a major way, or cause harm to your work or the relationships in your life, seeking help from a depression therapist is wise. A depression counselor near me can teach you strategies to manage your symptoms, address underlying challenges, and create long-term resilience. Depression is treatable, and mental health counseling can be a big step toward positive recovery!
How is depression treated?
Depending on your symptoms, needs, and underlying causes, depression can be treated using a combination of therapeutic approaches.
At Anchor Therapy, we offer various therapeutic modalities by means of traditional talk therapy. Mental health counseling plays an important role in treating depression which offers structured methods to address the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive components of depression.
What is CBT for depression?
CBT is one of the most widely used treatments for depression. This effective treatment option works on the basis that thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are all connected and, by having this understanding, you can modify distorted thinking which can enhance mood and functionality.
Here are some key components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression:
Pinpointing negative thought patterns - A depression therapist will help you recognize harmful thought patterns (e.g., catastrophizing, black-and-white thinking, etc.)
Behavioral activation - A depression counselor will encourage you to engage in activities that bring you joy or meaning to counteract avoidance behaviors that are linked to depression
Skill building - Specific techniques, such as problem-solving and relaxation techniques, can help you manage stress and depressive episodes successfully
To learn more about CBT for depression, read our blog “What Conditions May Be Treated With CBT Therapy Near Me?”.
What is psychodynamic therapy for depression?
Psychodynamic counseling for depression will dive deep into your unconscious thoughts, early life experiences, and unresolved conflicts, and connect the dots between these experiences and depression. Psychodynamic therapy is a more exploratory form of counseling rather than a structured treatment modality. Its main aim is to help you gain self-awareness.
In psychodynamic counseling you will examine recurring themes in your relationships and emotions which may be linked to unresolved childhood experiences. By deeply reflecting, you can get to the root cause of your depression to work through emotional conflicts. As you work through psychodynamic therapy and gain a better understanding of your emotions, you will come to develop healthier ways to handle stress.
For more information on different treatments for depression, read our blog “4 Ways to Naturally Treat Depression.”
What are the benefits of working with a depression counselor near me?
Seeking help from a depression counselor can be a major step toward healing. Depression can impact various aspects of your life, from daily functioning to your emotional state. A therapist who specializes in treating depression can offer you the personalized care you need and deserve. Seeking professional mental health support for depression is a sign of strength for those navigating this challenging condition.
Here are the three benefits of working with a depression therapist near me…
Provides you with a safe and supportive therapeutic environment
One of the best things about mental health counseling is that it is an opportunity for you to discuss your feelings, thoughts, and struggles in a safe, non-judgmental space. A counselor can provide you with a confidential setting where you explore your emotions and experiences without fear of criticism or stigma. This type of safe space promotes honesty and openness which are important for effective mental health treatment. Feeling heard and understood alone can alleviate some of the emotional burden of depression.
For more information on this, check out our blog “How To Find In Person Therapy Near Me.”
2. Helps identify and reframe negative thought patterns
Depression often comes along with distorted thinking, and feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness. A depression therapist can help you pinpoint these harmful thought patterns and teach techniques to reframe them in a realistic, more positive way. As discussed previously, CBT for depression can target these negative thought processes which can empower you to change your automatic thoughts to replace them with a healthier perspective.
3. Offers coping strategies for managing symptoms
A depression counselor can give you practical tools to manage overwhelming symptoms.
Some of these coping strategies may include:
Relaxation techniques
Mindfulness exercises
Journaling
Grounding exercises
These coping skills can calm the mind and lessen anxiety. In addition to these more immediate coping mechanisms, depression therapists can give you long-term strategies to successfully manage your stress. For instance, mindfulness can teach you to be more present and less reactive to negative emotions which can help break cycles of rumination and self-blame that add to depression. For more information, check out our blog “How To Break The Cycle of Obsessive Thoughts.”
Working with a depression counselor offers many benefits, from giving you a safe space to gaining practical tools for managing your depressive symptoms. Mental health counseling can help you pinpoint and reframe negative thought patterns, address underlying causes, and improve the relationships with other people in your life. By taking the step to seek the help of a professional mental health counselor for depression, you can regain control of your emotional and mental health so you can begin the journey toward a brighter, more balanced future.
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager, Intake Coordinator, and Community Engagement Director at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark and is currently studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the graduate level. In her roles, Victoria is committed to managing the office’s social media/community presence and prioritizing clients' needs.
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