Therapy for Depression in Cheshire, CT
What is depression?
I don’t enjoy anything anymore.
I feel blah and unmotivated.
I can’t sleep, and I feel exhausted all the time.
I know what I need to do, I just can’t seem to get myself to do it!
Depression looks different for everyone. Some people feel sad and drained, others lose interest in things they used to enjoy, and some become irritable or frustrated.
In therapy, we talk about symptoms of depression like depressed mood, trouble concentrating, irritability, significant changes in your sleeping or eating habits, and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. The goal is to help you identify what factors are contributing to your depression, and which of those factors you have the ability to change.
Do I Need Psychotherapy for Depression?
Sometimes people feel they don’t need therapy to address depression because “it’s not that bad” or “other people have it so much worse!”. You don't have to win a “Worst Situation Ever” medal to benefit from having someone objective to talk to. Having perspective on your situation is important, but comparing it to someone else's isn't helpful. If your depression is causing you distress, or affecting your relationships, your job, your health, or your ability to enjoy your life, it’s worth talking about.
In therapy, we talk about your life: what’s going well and what you wish could be different. Who do you feel is supporting you, if anyone, and who is emotionally draining you? Do you have things in your life that make you feel good? Or do you not remember what that feels like? We explore how much of your depression is affected by a situation outside of yourself, and what seems to be coming from inside you, no matter how well things seem to be going.
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Relationships that are not going well, or are even toxic, can contribute to feeling depressed. Whether it’s a complicated family relationship, a partner or spouse, or a coworker, being in a destructive relationship can affect your mood, sleep, appetite, or motivation. In counseling, I can help you learn to assess the relationship, communicate more effectively, or identify and address signs of codependency or toxicity.
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When you’re feeling depressed, it’s easy to imagine everything going badly. The slightest setback, and we imagine everything will keep going badly. “I didn’t get the job” becomes “What if I never get a job?”. Usually, these negative thoughts are based on fact, but then exaggerated. I like to call them “fun house mirror thoughts” or cognitive distortions. Negative thinking leads to more depressed thoughts and less motivation.
In therapy, you learn more positive ways of thinking, but you do not need to have a positive, optimistic, unicorns-and-rainbows view of the world. How about one that is a little more realistic? When we have realistic thoughts instead of distorted ones, we feel better and are less paralyzed to make positive changes.
Are You Ready for Depression Help in Cheshire, CT?
Talking about your emotions and what’s going on in your life, with someone who isn’t directly involved, can help you sort out how you feel and what you can and can’t control.
Therapy can help you rewrite the script, focus less on other people, and make intentional choices. All of these will help you feel less overwhelmed, more in control, and better able to enjoy your day-to-day.
Contact me to take the first step toward overcoming depression.
Therapy for depression is also available via telehealth across Connecticut.