Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, yet most find it too difficult to talk about.
So…let’s talk about it.
Everyone experiences an off day or does not feel like themselves for a few days, but feeling like that every day can be exhausting. It’s draining to feel like you have to put on a happy face for everyone. It can make all of your other responsibilities feel that much harder. The problem builds if you then feel like you don’t have anyone to talk to about your feelings. And then, if you feel like you’re misunderstood or people seem nervous when you do try to talk about what you’re going through, you can feel wrong for feeling how you are feeling. You may feel overwhelmed by what you are experiencing, and you may not know what the best next step would be. Sometimes feelings of overwhelm can just shut you down.
Depression is not just a couple of bad days in a row. According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life. Here are some common signs of depression:
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed.
- Avoiding going to class or social events.
- Extreme anger or sadness over relationships.
- Reacting negatively to most situations.
- Having thoughts or conversations of death or suicide.
- Feeling out of control over your emotions.
Depression can make you feel so alone. You aren’t alone.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by these feelings, and if you are having difficulty talking about where you are, you aren’t alone. Everyone has felt down or not themselves, but how do you know when you need to seek help? There are a few things to think about to see if counseling would be beneficial to you. Here are some questions to ask:
- Have you been feeling sadness or hopelessness to an extreme level?
- Does your family have any history of depression?
- Have you used drugs or alcohol to feel ‘normal’?
- Do you often think of death or suicide?
We’re Here to Help!
Those around you may not know or understand all that’s going on and you may not have the energy to explain it, but they care and so do we. It’s good to talk about it, even if it is a challenge to get started. Our counselors specialize in treatment for depression in both adults and children at our office in Fort Collins. Feel free to give us a call to learn how counseling or a psychological evaluation could be helpful. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. You can reach us at (970) 889-8204 or contact@coloradocac.com.
If you are in immediate trouble go to an emergency room, call 911, or ask someone for help. Colorado also has a crisis line: 844-493-8255.