When Counseling For Depression Is Necessary
Everybody gets the blues from time to time, whether because of a setback – romantically, professionally, or personally – or sometimes for no apparent reason at all. This is normal, and quite different from what mental health professionals mean when they say "depression." However, clinical depression is a serious problem, and you don't want to put off getting help if you need it. So how do you know when it's time to reach out for help with depressive disorders?
It's Okay to Reach Out
Everyone feels down from time to time, and anyone can get depression. If you feel depressed for at least two weeks, tell your healthcare provider right away and don’t try and push past it. They will help you find a therapist or online help with depression. There's no risk in reaching out to a mental health counselor – if you start feeling better once you find a counselor, you can choose not to see the therapist any longer. It’s important to know that depression counseling is there to help you if you need it.
What Depression Really Is
Depression is not just an emotional state; it is a mental illness that affects both the mind and body. Symptoms include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, anxiety, loss of interest in activities, and changes in sleep and appetite. If symptoms like these have persisted for two weeks or more, with little or no let-up, depression might be a likely diagnosis.
If the above describes your current state, it is a good idea to seek mental health treatment. Treatment for depression can prevent symptoms from worsening and shorten the period of time that you experience depression. Sometimes depression can result from a negative event, a major life change, or a build-up of stress. Other times, it is not possible to pinpoint the reason for someone's change in mood or severe depression. The tendency toward major depression is biological, and a person with depression does not have control of the chemicals in their brain that are contributing to the depressive symptoms or a mental illness like major depressive disorder.
When your mood is depressed, it can become hard to maintain a normal level of functioning in areas of your life such as work, school, and relationships. If you have noticed that you have difficulty functioning as a result of how you are feeling, it is recommended that you seek treatment as you may have a persistent depressive disorder. Thoughts of suicide are one of the severe symptoms of depression, and if you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, it is important that you seek professional help immediately. It is also important to remember that there is no shame in seeking help for depression symptoms, and that approximately 9 percent of women and 5 percent of men have depression.
If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 and is available 24/7.
Severe depression can also lead to substance abuse, as those suffering try to self-medicate rather than seek outside help. The American Psychiatric Association says that “the identification of two distinct disorders that are present in the same person at the same time, for example, the coexistence of depression and a substance dependence disorder” is known as a dual diagnosis. You can find more information on substance abuse at the National Institute on Drug Abuse website. You can also learn more about the commonality of substance abuse and mental illness on the National Alliance of Mental Health website.
People commonly ask the following questions about this topic:
What type of therapy is used for depression?
What therapy is most successful in treating depression?
Can you talk to a therapist about depression?
What are the 5 types of therapy?
What are the 3 basic approaches to treating depression?
What is the primary cause of depression?
What is the latest treatment for depression?
Is depression a treatable condition?
Is there a cure for anxiety and depression?
What should I not tell a psychiatrist?
Treatment Options – Medications
There are several kinds of medications available to treat symptoms of depression. One class of medications is called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs). SSRIs work by preventing your body from reabsorbing a chemical messenger called serotonin before the brain has a chance to use it. SSRIs allow your body to use its own naturally occurring serotonin. Further, by acting on only specific serotonin reuptake points, this newer class of antidepressants has fewer and milder side effects than older kinds of antidepressants.
Medication is a useful tool in treating depression, especially as part of a broader strategy that includes depression counseling. However, there is no medication that can completely prevent depression from reoccurring, so medication should be just one part of a larger treatment program. If you are taking medication, it is important that you follow your prescriber's instructions. Most antidepressant medications take several weeks to show effectiveness.
Medications for depression require a prescription. To get a prescription for an antidepressant, you will need a diagnosis of depression or a related condition by a doctor. This may be your primary care provider (PCP) or a psychiatrist.
Please consult with your doctor or primary care physician before considering any medication options.
Treatment Options – Talk Therapy
Counseling by a qualified therapist is an effective treatment for depression, particularly when depression is the result of adverse life events. Such events include losing a loved one, losing a job, or even moving to a new place. If you see a therapist for depression, they will likely speak to you about some of the following topics:
- Providing education about the causes of depression so that you can lessen the chances of experiencing future episodes.
- Identifying depressive thinking patterns, so that you can counter negative thoughts and think more realistically.
- Identifying things in your life that have helped keep your mood positive, and encouraging you to reengage in healthy activities.
- Identifying methods to deal with behaviors that have been unhealthy for you, such as isolation or use of drugs or alcohol.
- Teaching healthy methods of handling negative thoughts, emotions, and stressors.
- Talking effectively with the people in your life about what you are experiencing.
- Identifying your personal depression warning signs so you can recognize them earlier in the future, and helping you create a plan to decrease the chances of another depressive episode.
Depression can affect a person's ability to solve problems. It impacts concentration, makes it difficult to see problems realistically, lowers energy levels, and is so overwhelming in itself that other aspects of life are often ignored. Working with a counselor can help you to problem-solve during this difficult time. There is strong evidence showing how therapy can be an effective solution for treating depression.
A few types of therapy options to help with depression that you may want to learn more about on the BetterHelp advice page are cognitive behavioral therapy, problem solving therapy, interpersonal therapy, or even family therapy. Your family may otherwise have no idea the reason behind your symptoms.
Treatment Options – Combined Approaches
Research shows that people with depression feel better faster when treatment includes both medication and working with the right counselor. This is because antidepressants change your brain chemistry in a way that makes you more receptive to talk therapy and the therapeutic process. Further, if you are taking antidepressants, your therapist can help you understand and manage their effects and side effects.
Other Tools to Treat Depression
When you have healthy coping skills and physical habits that improve your general health, such as proper diet and exercise, depression can be either prevented or improved for most people. Mindfulness practices such as yoga, meditation, and breath work have also been shown to reduce stress and improve mood and concentration. Setting healthy boundaries with people in your life can also be helpful. It is important to establish a regular sleep schedule and also to spend time outdoors as sunlight provides Vitamin D, an important nutrient your brain needs to function.
While it might not feel like the right time to begin something new, it is helpful to set some small and realistic goals. Consider getting involved, even in a small way, in a volunteer organization as helping others has been shown to positively influence how we feel about ourselves. In addition, depression is associated with other mental and physical health problems, such as anxiety, poor cardiovascular health, or an underactive thyroid gland. Addressing one problem might be effective at alleviating the others.
Finding Help with Online Therapy
If you do get a diagnosis of depression, your PCP can help you find a therapist in your area, and you may be able to use your health insurance to pay for therapy. Without a diagnosis, you can still get the help of a therapist, but therapy will not be covered by health insurance. Often, online therapy is more affordable and convenient than in-person therapy.
Online therapy has also been proven to be slightly better than face-to-face therapy regarding cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT). In a literature review of 17 studies on the effectiveness of online CBT or eCBT when contrasted with traditional therapy, it was found that eCBT was better at reducing the symptoms of depression. It was also noted that eCBT could be less expensive than face-to-face therapy. Online therapy for CBT can also be used for other mental health conditions. People with PTSD and anxiety have found relief through this type of treatment.
How BetterHelp Can Support You
Finding time to get started with therapy can prevent us from seeking the help we need to deal with depression. At BetterHelp, you can get matched with one of our online licensed therapists right away. Your therapist will have the training and expertise to help you manage your depressive symptoms, so you can get back to feeling healthier. You can meet with your therapist anywhere you have an internet connection and at a time that fits into your schedule. For more information on how online therapy can help you manage your feelings of depression and better your relationships with family and friends, read the following reviews of BetterHelp counselors from people experiencing similar issues.
Counselor Reviews
"Dr. C has been incredibly helpful for me, and has been a crucial part in the personal journey I have been on this last year. I highly recommend her for anyone else struggling with depression or generally trying to make healthier choices in life, she has been a great guidance for me."
"Diane has been a huge help for me in overcoming my anxiety and depression. She is understanding and offers a variety of ways to improve my perceptions, and how to work through my problems in real life. I can't recommend her enough!"
Moving Past Depression
If you've been experiencing the symptoms of depression for longer than a couple of weeks, you will want to learn as much about its symptoms and treatment as you can. The good news is that it is a treatable condition, and seeking professional counseling is often the first step on the road to regaining your mental and physical health. A truly fulfilling life is possible – all you need are the right tools and a little help getting there. Take the first step today.
Questions People Commonly Ask:
Can staying in the house cause depression?
What happens in the brain during depression?
What hormone is released during depression?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you know if you need depression counseling?
You may be experiencing symptoms of depression. Those can include fatigue, feeling like you’re unmotivated, isolating from friends and family, experiencing changes in appetite, and more. These are instances where therapy for depression can help. Instead of ignoring your emotions and mental state, it’s essential to seek support because depression symptoms can worsen over time if left untreated. You may be experiencing severe symptoms such as suicidal ideation. That’s when it’s imperative to find a counselor. If you have thoughts about harming yourself or have an active plan to do so, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, available 24/7 or go to the nearest emergency room. Major depression can also affect your life and make it difficult or impossible to function in your day-to-day life.
The good news is that there is help out there in the form of mental health treatment that can turn things around and give you a healthy and a more hopeful future. Treating depression isn’t as hard as you might think. Even if it is hard to make the first step of finding a provider, seeing a counselor can change your life. Finding the right provider can take some time, but it is possible. And it’s essential to be picky when choosing a therapist because you want to have a positive therapeutic connection with the person who will be helping you.
Ultimately, the answer to the question is that you might need depression counseling if the symptoms of depression are impacting your quality of life. If you’ve lived with the symptoms of depression for an extended period, it can be hard to understand how it’s affecting you. Look at things objectively and know that if you believe you may have any form of depression, it’s essential to reach out.
What happens in depression counseling?
In depression counseling, you’ll talk about your symptoms and learn to cope with them productively. It’s difficult because you may feel like there’s no hope and not want to go to counseling. It’s important to push past these feelings and make the steps to get help even if you feel as though it won’t help. Hopelessness is a common symptom of depression that can cloud your vision and make it feel like pursuing therapy won’t work. And though it may take time and some trial and error, treatment for depression is proven to be effective. Treating depression is a process, so be patient with yourself and the therapeutic process. In depression counseling, you’ll work through these feelings of hopelessness and learn coping skills for depression. A trained mental health counselor knows how to help you with depression and should be highly compassionate and understanding of the condition. Some professionals even have first-hand experience with depression. Remember that depression is a highly treatable condition and that the symptoms of depression can be managed exceptionally efficiently.
What are the symptoms of depression?
It depends partially on the diagnosis that you have. There are different types of depression, such as postpartum depression, major depression, or bipolar depression. Consistent symptoms of depressive disorders include isolation, body aches, feeling worthless or hopeless, lack of motivation or drive, suicidal ideation, and more. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s essential to seek treatment because, again, depression does get worse over time if left untreated.
When does depression become severe?
Depression becomes severe when it is affecting your day-to-day life. If depression is making it difficult to hold a job, to maintain relationships with friends or loved ones, or to bathe, eat, or take care of yourself or if you’re experiencing suicidal ideation, it’s crucial to seek help. These are all severe signs of depression that need to be taken seriously.
How can medication help with depression?
Medication and therapy, as a combination, is the gold standard for treating depression. Medication helps you to get to a place where you’re able to talk about and learn to cope with your symptoms. It can help you prevent future depressive episodes and can improve your overall quality of life. While medication is often stigmatized, many people note that it has saved their lives. Everyone is different, so talk to a psychiatrist or a PCP about a medication plan tailored to you if you think that taking medication may help you.
What kinds of mental health professionals can help with depression?
Any licensed mental health counselor or therapist who is specialized in depression and depressive disorders can help you manage your depression. A licensed mental health professional is the person to turn to when you’re dealing with symptoms of depression.
How can online counseling help people with depression?
Sometimes, it’s hard to get dressed or to get out of bed, let alone leave the house, when you’re depressed. Having an online counselor can be helpful because you can talk to them from the privacy of your own home. Finding the right counselor can be tough, and the great thing about online therapy is that there is an abundance of providers available to help you because you aren’t restricted to seeing providers that are within a certain radius of your home. Dealing with depression isn’t easy, but treating depression is possible. Whether you find a counselor who works remotely or in your local area, depression treatment works, and it can help you if you’re struggling. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, and don’t let your brain fool you: you are worth it, and things can and do get better.