Clinical depression is often confused with ordinary feelings of sadness or “the blues”. The distinction lies in the severity and duration of symptoms and the extent to which they interfere with your daily life. Depression impacts how you think, feel and act, making it difficult to engage in day-to-day activities or enjoy the things that once brought you pleasure. Left untreated, depression can impact work performance, physical health and your overall quality of life.
The most common symptoms of depression include:
- Feelings of hopelessness, sadness or emptiness
- Decreased ability to concentrate
- Feeling tired, unmotivated or self-critical
- Loss of appetite or over-eating
- Insomnia or excessive need for sleep
- Diminished pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
Along with millions of Americans, many people in Chicago suffer from depression but don’t seek treatment because they believe they should “just snap out of it” or that depression is “all in their head”. Many have suffered for so long that they don’t even remember how it feels not to be depressed.
Fortunately, depression can be treated and life can get better, often without medication. Individual therapy is the first step toward identifying and conquering clinical depression. Once depression has been identified, I assist clients in identifying depression and developing an individualized treatment plan that may include some or all of the following:
- Working through issues that are contributing to the depression, such as loss or trauma
- Learning to overcome negative thought patterns
- Improving self-esteem through mindfulness and positive self-talk
- Developing a stronger support network and improving existing relationships
- Making lifestyle changes that are known to combat depression such as diet and exercise
- Helping clients explore whether medication is indicated/desired, and guiding them through this process
Who is most likely to suffer from depression in Chicago?
Regardless of where you live, depression has been shown to have a hereditary component, making some people more prone to becoming depressed. Other factors that may contribute to an individual’s likelihood of developing depression include:
- A serious loss or difficult relationship
- Job loss or financial stress
- Medical illnesses such as stroke, heart attack, chronic pain or cancer
- Trauma (combat trauma, physical or sexual abuse, witnessing a catastrophic event) even if the trauma occurred many years ago
- Any stressful life transition
You or your loved one don’t need to continue suffering. To learn more about treatment for depression in Chicago, please contact me at (847) 687-3085 or use the form to the right to set up a phone consultation to discuss your unique situation and ask questions about my approach, scheduling, fees, etc.