Depression is a complex mental health condition. It can occur for a variety of reasons as there is no one specific, universal cause or trigger. Some people may experience situational or temporary depression after a major life transition, such as a move or the death of a loved one. If you have a family history of depression, you may feel sad or lonely for no apparent reason.
Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness. It can change how you think, eat, sleep, and behave in daily life. There are several types of depression- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Postpartum Depressive Disorder (PDD), Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), and more. Depression can be treatable by 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.
Who mostly gets depression?
Depression can affect anyone, including children; teens; adults; and senior citizens. According to research from John Hopkins School of Medicine, women are twice as likely than men to be diagnosed with depression. This is likely due to the different hormonal changes that women go through throughout the course of their life.
A family history of depression can increase your risk of becoming depressed as well. While there is not a single gene that causes depression, researchers believe there is a combination of genes that can lead to the complex trait of depression. The genetics behind psychiatric disorders can be more complicated than purely genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis.
Even rather positive life transitions, such as moving into a new home, graduating college, or getting married can cause depression or depressive symptoms. That is because even positive changes come along with their fair share of stress. The anticipation of change alone for a new phase in life can cause anxiety. Additionally, there may be societal pressure to be happy during times of change. If you do not feel as happy as you think you should, you may feel guilty and even criticize yourself, leading to a worsening of depressive symptoms. For support, read our blog “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Negative Self-Talk.”
Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and trauma can make you more susceptible to depression due to the various psychological, biological, and social factors at play. Abuse can lead to feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem. Constantly devaluing yourself can lead to a negative cycle of hopelessness. Negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself, your social community, and the larger world around you can contribute to depressive symptoms. To learn more, check out our blog “Do You Understand Your Self-Esteem?”.
Elderly people tend to be at a high risk of depression as well. The loss of a spouse, friends, and family members can lead to much grief and loneliness, both of which are risk factors for depression. As we age, there comes a lot of changes to our daily life and independence. Senior citizens may not be able to live on their own due to physical limitations or cognitive declines. An elder’s social network may shrink as they get older and lead into retirement. A lack of general social engagement can create a lack of participation in enjoyable activities and purpose. For more information, check out our blog “Combatting the Retirement Blues: Empire State of Mind to Sunshine State Unwind.”
As human beings, we are inherently social creatures. Problems like social isolation can add to your risk of general depression. Check out our blog “The Impact of the Friendship Recession on Mental Well-Being.” Additionally, being cast out of your family or social group can leave you feeling lonely and disconnected. If you resonate with this, read “Understanding the Psychology of Scapegoating in Families.”
Social interactions can help validate your feelings and experiences. Without it, you may experience feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, adding to your depression. Social networks can also act like a buffer against stress. Without this support, you may feel isolated which makes it harder to manage stress effectively. For support, our blog “7 Stress Management Tools from a Licensed Therapist” is a must-read.
How does depression make a person act?
Now that we know who is most at risk for developing depression, we can dive into what depression actually looks like for most people. Depression can manifest in many ways and one depressed individual may experience the disorder differently than another.
Here are some common symptoms of depression:
Persistent sadness
Irritability
Loss of interest
Guilt and worthlessness
Concentration problems
Negative thinking
Indecisiveness
Fatigue
Sleep disturbances (To learn more, check out our blog, “Unlocking the Secrets of Quality Sleep: A Therapist’s Perspective on Sleep Hygiene and Insomnia”)
Appetite changes
Unexplained pain
Social withdrawal
Reduced activity
Neglect of responsibilities
Anxiety (Take our Anxiety Quiz)
Mood swings
Slowed movements
Restlessness
Suicidal ideation (Feeling suicidal? Help is only a phone call away at the free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988)
To help distinguish your symptoms, check out our blog “Sadness vs Depression: When to Get Help.”
In children and teens, depression may manifest in unique ways. Children and teens with depression may showcase enhanced anger, irritability, or hostility instead of the typical sadness that is often seen in adults. For younger children, this may include frequent temper tantrums and/or episodes of crying. Children may exhibit increased clinginess as well where they do not want to be separated from their parents or caregivers.
In teens, they may engage in risky or reckless behaviors, such as careless driving or even self-harm. To cope with depressive feelings, they may turn to drugs and alcohol. It is not uncommon for depressed teens to turn away from family and friends during this time, withdrawing from social activities and losing interest in schoolwork.
Take our Depression Quiz to find out more information.
With all of these symptoms, it is easy to see how depression can change the way a person acts. Not everyone with depression will exhibit the previously mentioned symptoms, and the severity of the symptoms can vary from person-to-person. Generally speaking, the sooner you seek depression treatment, the better the outcome will be.
What happens during the depression stage?
A depressive episode can come along with some intense symptoms and emotions which have the ability to impact your daily life and functioning to a large extent. During this time, you may feel an ongoing and overwhelming sense of emptiness and sadness. People often experience anhedonia as well where they lose interest or pleasure in activities they once enjoyed engaging in.
Fatigue and a general lack of energy can make it difficult to complete the smallest of tasks, like making your bed or brushing your teeth. Depression is typically linked to imbalances in crucial neurotransmitters, like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Without you consciously knowing it, these chemicals regulate your mood, energy levels, and motivation. If neurotransmitters are interrupted, it may lead to feelings of fatigue and a lack of energy. Overwhelming feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities can worsen your sense of fatigue.
Depression can also impact cognitive symptoms like your ability to concentrate, make decisions, and remember things. The increased difficulty to complete every day tasks can lead to a feeling of exhaustion.
Many people experience changes in their appetite as well, either eating too much or eating less than usual. Sleep issues also come about, from experiencing sleeping issues, like insomnia, or sleeping too much. For support, read our blog “How CBT Can Help With Your Insomnia.”
Feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, and hopelessness can go hand-in-hand with a depressive episode. This can lead to being socially withdrawn, like avoiding family members and friends.
Depression can breed physical symptoms with no other better-explained medical cause as well, such as headaches, digestive issues, and chronic pain. Somatization is the process where psychological distress is released through physical symptoms. This transition from emotional pain to physical symptoms can be an unconscious coping mechanism. To restore harmony in your body, check out our blog “5 Ways to Nurture Your Mind-Body Connection.”
A depressive episode has a lot of emotional, cognitive, and physical factors that disrupt your ability to think and behave ‘normally.’
If you are in a depressive episode, you may…
Struggle to wake up in the morning, and feel an overwhelming desire to stay in bed all day.
Skip showers and wear the same clothes for days on end.
Stare at a computer screen for hours, unable to complete any tasks.
Miss deadlines at work or school.
Make excuses to avoid social gatherings.
Burst into tears unexpectedly.
Constantly think about past mistakes and feel like you are a failure.
Eat more than usual, often relying on processed food for comfort.
Lose your appetite completely.
Sleep for 12 or more hours a day, but still feel tired.
Lie awake at night, unable to sleep.
Experience chronic headaches, stomachaches, back pain, and more physical tensions or aches with no medical cause.
If someone you know is struggling with depression, read our blog “3 Ways to Support Someone with Depression.”
Depression Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey
At Anchor Therapy, our depression therapists offer top-line treatment for depression. We offer in-person therapy for depression sessions in downtown Hoboken, New Jersey. We also conveniently offer virtual therapy sessions for depression to all residents of New Jersey, New York, and Florida.
Depression is unlikely to go away on its own. If your depression is left ignored or goes untreated for a long period of time, it can have profound negative effects on your life and your symptoms may be even worse. Think about if you got an infection. You would want to see a doctor as soon as possible so your condition does not worsen and the infection does not spread. Seeking mental health counseling treatment for depression is no different.
The key to depression treatment is to find a type of therapy that works for you. For mild depression, it can be enough just to learn about your mental health disorder and implement lifestyle changes, such as engaging in regular exercise. To learn more, read our blog “5 Ways Exercise Benefits Your Mental Health.” Working with a depression counselor can help you learn more about depression, gain insight into your symptoms, and assist in successfully implementing lifestyle changes.
Moderate to severe depression may require psychological treatments as well as medical treatments, such as the addition of medicine.
Psychological treatments, like depression counseling, is a very effective way to treat depression. Depression therapy can help you change your thinking patterns and help you learn healthy coping skills so you can successfully deal with stress and life transitions. Some of these coping skills may be journaling, meditating, or doing breathwork exercises.
Here are some of the most successful types of therapy for depression:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
CBT for depression is a short-term, goal-oriented type of depression counseling. The focus of CBT is to change your thought patterns and behaviors that add to your depression. In CBT therapy for depression, your depression counselor will use cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and mindfulness techniques.
Psychodynamic therapy:
Psychodynamic therapy for depression can help you explore how your unconscious mind, including past thoughts and experiences, impact your current emotions and behaviors. In this form of counseling, you may explore past relationships and even engage in dream analysis, a way to poke into your subconscious.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT):
MBCT for depression uses cognitive counseling and mindfulness strategies so you can become aware of your thoughts and feelings. You may do mindfulness meditations, body scans, and engage in mindful movement (e.g., yoga) in this form of depression therapy.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
ACT for depression encourages you to accept your thoughts and feelings instead of trying to fight them off. Additionally, you will align your actions with your values. Acceptance strategies and value-based action will be utilized.
Seeking treatment for depression can be an enormous step towards healing. It can help you manage or overcome your depression symptoms and signs.
Here are some advantages of working with a depression therapist:
Professional guidance and expertise
Safe space to explore your emotions
Validation of your emotions
Healthy coping strategies
Better problem-solving skills
Enhanced interpersonal skills
Conflict resolution tactics
Increased self-awareness
Better self-esteem (Read our blog “Do You Understand Your Self-Esteem?”)
Positive habits (Check out our blog “4 Ways to Build A Habit That Sticks”)
Behavioral activation
Mindfulness
Stress reduction (Our blog “Everything You Need to Know About Stress Management Therapy“ is a must-read)
Dealing with depression can be a challenging journey but, working with a depression therapist, can help. Depression counselors offer expertise, empathy, and the professional support required for a successful recovery.
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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