You feel down almost all the time
Sometimes, life feels bleak and hopeless
You’re not interested in the people, things, or activities that used to bring you joy
When depression strikes, it feels like it will never end. It’s not just about feeling sad. You lose interest in all activities. Nothing seems fun anymore. Relationships take a back seat and you just want to stay home. You may notice that you sleep a lot more. You feel tired and lethargic. Or it’s hard to fall asleep and you wake during the night. For some, depression means dark thoughts. Perhaps you wonder whether you’ve made the right choices or led the best life. You might question whether it’s worth continuing.
symptoms of depression
While everyone experiences depression a little bit differently, there are common symptoms, such as:
feeling sad, empty, or hopeless for much of the day
no longer finding any pleasure in things that used to be fun
gaining or losing weight
poor sleep or sleeping too much
feeling tired or loss of energy
feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty
indecisiveness or difficulty concentrating
thoughts about death or suicide
From this list, you can see that depression can affect many aspects of your life. Sometimes, the signs of depression can be very subtle and slowly emerge over time, making it hard to ‘connect the dots.’ Some people may experience a low grade, chronic depression that persists for years. For others, depression may be cyclical, occurring at certain times, such as during the winter or around an anniversary. Men and women can also experience depression in different ways. Men may feel more irritable, angry, or fatigued. They may show some reckless behavior that could include drug or alcohol misuse. For women, the strongest feelings are often worthlessness, sadness and guilt.
Help for Depression
Whatever form your depression takes, it is treatable. Many people struggle with symptoms of depression longer than necessary. Sometimes, it can be hard to admit that you’re depressed. It may feel like you’re a failure or weak. People around you may be completely unaware of your struggle because you put on a happy face. But, you don’t have to go through it alone.
Depression is very common. There are several well researched treatments that can help to alleviate symptoms and get you back to living the life you want.
MY APPROACH to Depression Treatment
The first step in depression treatment is to hold onto hope. Because depression creates feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, it can feel almost impossible to pick up the phone or open a browser to get help. All your motivation has gone. Yet, if you are reading this, you’ve already taken the first step. Next time, you might click the Contact button and send me a short email. From there, the ball is in my court.
I am trained in several types of therapy that are well supported by research for the treatment of depression. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). However, my primary goal of depression treatment is to ensure that you feel supported and understood. Then, you’ll be able to identify what is most important to you. This allows us to base your depression treatment on the values and things that matter most in your life. Ultimately, restoring your sense of hope for a brighter future.
START DEPRESSION TREATMENT
I have over 10 years of experience working with clients with depression. If you are ready to get started, follow these steps:
Contact me by phone, text, or email to make a free 15-minute phone consultation
Meet with me for an initial therapy session either online or in person at my office in Santa Rosa.
Begin depression treatment, regain hope, and start to live a healthier, richer life
OTHER THERAPY SERVICES OFFERED BY COLIN BAPTIE, PSY.D
Depression treatment isn’t the only service offered in my therapy practice. My other therapy services include treatments for anxiety, ADHD testing, grief counseling, LGTBQ support and counseling, and couples counseling. I offer online therapy in California to treat a variety of concerns. Visit my mental health blog for interesting articles and information on relevant topics. Contact me to learn more about the many ways I can help.