Counseling for Depression

Depression is a mental health condition that can afflict individuals at any stage of life, subsequently causing impairment of work, social, and family life. Globally, more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression. Maria Droste Counseling Center in Denver, CO, offers affordable in-person and online depression counseling.

While depression is treatable with proper care, the most critical issue is getting an accurate diagnosis so that appropriate treatment can be recommended.

Remember, you don’t need to be ashamed of receiving help from a counselor or taking antidepressants. Depression is a health problem, not a personality flaw; all things considered, receiving help and medicine won’t change your personality.

Symptoms and warning signs of depression

The symptoms of depression can be debilitating and are characterized in three categories, including mood, physical, and cognitive changes that prevent a person from functioning normally.

Mood symptoms	Feeling sad, anxious, empty, irritable, or restless.
Physical symptoms	Changes in sleep, appetite, and energy levels as well as persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease with treatment.
Cognitive or thought symptoms	Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions as well as feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or helplessness.

When to start depression counseling

It’s important to know that depression can develop slowly, or hit rapidly. Moreover, it can be either persistent and chronic, or recurrent over time. However, people who have depression often don’t realize that their symptoms are actually a treatable mental illness. As a result, they are prone to trying to alleviate those symptoms through using drugs or alcohol. This can be problematic as they can then develop addiction as a secondary illness. 

That is to say, if you are experiencing the symptoms of depression listed above, do not hesitate to reach out for help as early as possible. You don’t have to just “toughen up.” Getting support is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Diagnosis and treatment for depression

There are a number of effective treatments for depression, and various treatment approaches have been shown to have excellent short and long-term efficacy. Though some people prefer specific types of therapy, it is most important to find a therapist who you feel comfortable talking to and supported by. Our Access Center can match you with a therapist who can treat depression and give you tools to function better in your everyday life.

Additionally, some people utilize medication to treat symptoms of depression. Psychiatrists or some general physicians can prescribe medications that improve the symptoms of depression. If you are interested in medication for depression, let your therapist know and they can provide you with a referral to doctors in your area.

These treatments, along with improving one’s general health through exercise, a healthy diet, and good sleep habits, can decrease both the intensity and severity of the symptoms of depression, as well as decrease the chance of the illness recurring. At the same time, practices such as mindfulness meditation can also be helpful in creating balance and managing stress, which can improve symptoms of depression.

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