Counseling for Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders. It can occur at any age, but depression most commonly occurs in adults. Depression can be triggered by a tragic loss or life event, or it may seem to be brought on by nothing at all. It's important to note that you may be feeling down or sad, but not be experiencing depression. Typically, normal feelings of depression last for a few days. If you feel extremely sad, hopeless or empty for two weeks or longer, you may have clinical depression.

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What Does Depression Look and Feel Like?

No two people experience depression the exact same way.  Some people with depression may feel a general unhappiness or emptiness which doesn’t have an explanation. On the more severe end, depression can make it a challenge for some people to go to work, eat, sleep or take pleasure in activities in life that were once enjoyable.

In some instances a person with depression may struggle to even get out of bed. Depression doesn’t just affect the individual either; it affects all the people close to that person also.

Potential Cause of Depression

  • Biological- Often depressed people have a chemical imbalance in the neurotransmitters in the brain, medication can often help correct this.

  • Genetic- A family history of depression, indicates a higher risk for an individual developing it.

  • Cognitive- People who have excessive negative thought patterns, low self esteem and poor coping skills are at higher risk for depression.

  • Medications- A common side effect to many common medications is depression.

  • Situational- Challenging life events, just as loss of a loved one, or divorce can cause sadness and trigger longer-term depression.

How to Help Someone Who Is Depressed

  • Be patient and encouraging, not critical.

  • Talk to this person about your concerns; make sure you listen, don’t dismiss their feelings.

  • Let this person know that depression is not a personal flaw or weakness; it’s an illness that can get better with treatment.

  • Encourage this person to seek out treatment by a trained mental health professional.

  • Be supportive by offering to help this person get to appointments, etc.

  • Invite this person to activities and events, even if it is just spending time at home together. Don’t be discouraged if this person declines, keep asking.

  • Always take comments about suicide seriously.

The important thing to remember that is that depression is a very treatable mental disorder, and most people respond well to treatment. The earlier treatment begins for depression, the more effective it will be. For long-term or short-term depressive symptoms, counseling can be very helpful. A counselor who specializes in depression can work with you to understand and work through the underlying causes of your depression, and teach you coping skills to help you manage your symptoms and begin to feel better.