DEPRESSION

It’s a daily struggle to get out of bed in the mornings. You don’t feel motivated or prepared to go about your day, whether that means taking care of your children, making plans with friends, or performing at work. You see the world through dark-tinted glasses and experience little joy in life. You feel hopeless and alone.

Depression is a very serious disorder that affects over 3 million people in the United States each year (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Depression impacts relationships, sleep quality, concentration, appetite, work functioning, and overall enjoyment and satisfaction.

In addition to other treatment modalities such as medication, therapy is a vital tool for managing depression. At Lotus Counseling Center, treatment for depression is tailored to your specific needs based on your symptom presentation. Our therapists utilize approaches ranging from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) centered on challenging maladaptive thought and behavior patterns to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizing mindfulness while adapting to your preferences and needs. Since there is no “one-size-fits-all” treatment modality for depression, our therapists combine elements of today’s most innovative and effective psychotherapy models. We work hand in hand with the client, as a team, to create a safe space for healing and recovery.

It is important to identify depression and seek treatment. Below, we discuss a handful of depressive disorders in detail to help you identify what you may be going through.

Note*** If you are actively suicidal at this moment, please call 911 for emergency care or check yourself into an emergency room. If you struggle with suicidal ideation, you may also find support by calling the  NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE at 1-800-273-8255.

Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is like walking in a fog that does not lift as you go about your day. This feeling lasts for at least two weeks at a time and can occur once or reoccur over the life span. This most commonly referred to a type of depression. Those living with MDD may be experiencing:

• Sadness or Feeling Down Most of the Time
• Lack of Interest
• Low Motivation
• Sleep Disturbance
• Changes in Appetite
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Fatigue
• Feelings of Worthlessness and Guilt
• Thoughts of Death and Suicide

Living with MDD is not easy- it’s OK to ask for help. Reach out to Lotus Counseling Center today to find out more about how you can treat your depression and live a brighter, more positive life.

Persistent Depressive Disorder
This type of depression is chronic and requires feeling sad or down most of the time for at least two years before being diagnosed. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms of depression for a long time, perhaps even all or most of your life, you may have Persistent Depressive Disorder.

You don’t have to “go it alone” any longer.

Therapy can help you learn how to live with chronic depression through depression management strategies, including using awareness to identify your depressive tendencies and coping skills that help lighten the load. 

Bipolar Disorders

Does your mood vacillate between extreme ups and downs? Do you have periods of high energy, increased productivity, and decreased need for sleep? Are these states followed by a crashing period of depression?

Bipolar Disorders are characterized by periods of depression that alternate with states of heightened mood, energy levels, and impulsive behaviors known as mania or hypomania. In addition to depressed mood, those with Bipolar Disorders may experience:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Unexplained Aches, Pains, and Psycho-motor Agitation
• Reduced Need for Sleep
• Indecision and Disorganization   

  

Seasonal Affective Disorder
“Oh no, it’s winter again.” You have so much difficulty each year when the days get shorter and the weather gets colder. You notice that your mood is impacted significantly by the lack of sunlight and by spending less time outside. You fear the onset of this season every year and wonder how you’ll get through it.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is typically experienced in winter due to changes in the body’s circadian rhythm triggered by less exposure to light and less time spent outdoors. This mood disorder can cause changes in a person’s mood, sleep patterns, appetite, weight, and may lead to increased social isolation.

If you think you might be afflicted with SAD, engaging in treatment at Lotus Counseling Center can help you understand your disorder and teach you how to better manage your symptoms. Through psychotherapy, you will gain awareness about how SAD affects you and learn about long-term coping strategies to improve your adjustment to seasonal changes. Facing winter can get easier with each passing year if you give therapy a chance.
  

Grief and Loss
You’ve lost someone close to you. There is an empty space in your life where that person once was. Every day is a reminder that they are gone and moving on feels like a betrayal to them, so you resign yourself to a joyless life. You isolate from all of the people and activities you once loved and find that you have become a shell of your former self.

Losing someone you love is one of the most difficult hurtles in life. It can become nearly impossible to continue engaging in work, relationships, and daily life activities without support. Everyone experiences loss in a different way, and Lotus Counseling Center’s esteemed professionals are here to provide support during your grieving process. No one can prepare for the loss of a loved one, but therapy can help you feel less alone while you recover. We provide psychological tools, spiritual counseling, and referrals when necessary. We also offer guidance in finding support groups or any other resource you may find helpful during this difficult time. You deserve to live fully; take your life back from grief. 

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