Depression, characterized by prolonged periods of sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue, is the most common mental health concern, impacting more than 7% of U.S. adults according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Just because depression is common, that doesn’t mean you have to accept that you’ll always feel this way. In fact, depression is very responsive to treatment with traditional talk therapy. If depression is negatively impacting your daily life or you just want to diminish the effects of this condition, counseling may be a good option. If you’re interested in exploring the benefits of therapy for depression, you can read about it in this blog or by scheduling a session with a skilled therapist at Cedar Counseling & Wellness.
Will Therapy Really Help with Depression?
Unchecked, depression can make every part of your day more difficult. It can be hard to even get out of bed, take a shower, go to work, and interact with loved ones and friends. The overwhelming emotions and negative thoughts associated with depression may leave you feeling numb to other emotions, so you no longer feel the enjoyment you once found in favorite activities. Therapy can help restore a fuller range of emotions and improve day-to-day function, so you can live a more satisfying life.
How Can I Tell Therapy Is Alleviating My Depression?
When you start therapy, you may feel the symptoms of depression increasing at first, but after a few sessions, you’ll start to see the effects of depression subsiding. Not all forms of therapy help everyone with depression, so it’s important to pause and evaluate your progress periodically throughout the therapy process to ensure you’re moving toward your goals. Some questions to consider when determining your progress in therapy include:
- Do you feel better able to perform daily tasks even when feeling depressed?
- Are you noticing an increase in feelings like joy, gratitude, happiness, and other emotions (even if emotions related to depression are still present)?
- Do your friends and loved ones say they notice a change?
- Are relationships generally feeling better?
- Do you feel skills you’re learning in therapy are helping you to manage more quickly when depressed feelings increase?
- Are you less likely to give in to desires to self-isolate or withdrawal?
If you answered yes to some of these questions, your therapy sessions are likely having the desired effect. If you answered no to the majority of questions, it may be time to talk to your therapist about adjusting your plan or consider working with a different mental health counselor.
What Can I Expect During Therapy for Depression?
Therapy for depression is typically focused around helping you improve the daily effects of depression. That means recognizing the way that depression impacts your thoughts, feelings, and actions. As you begin to increase in awareness of how depression affects you, it becomes easier to set goals and develop strategies to change these effects. At each visit, your therapist will discuss the impact depression has had on you since your last session. Then, they’ll recommend strategies you can try that may improve symptoms related to depression. At the next visit, they’ll ask if you tried any of their recommended strategies to see how it went. This process will continue as long as you need to achieve your goals.
How Do I Get Started Working with a Therapist?
For those who live in the Annapolis, MD area, Cedar Counseling & Wellness offers effective therapy for depression, using a range of research-supported therapy approaches. When you’re ready to find out more, please call us at (443) 924-6344, email info@cedarcounselingandwellness.com, or complete our online scheduling form.
