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Therapy for Depression in Decatur, GA, and online in FL
What is Depression?
So, what is depression actually and how do we get depression treatment?
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Depression consists of a variety of symptoms that include:
depressed mood;
feeling guilty/worthless;
loss of interest/pleasure;
low energy; fatigue;
not sleeping or sleeping way too much;
being indecisive and
having difficulty concentrating.
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Also, psychomotor agitation includes:
restlessness;
tapping;
sudden starting and ending tasks;
fidgeting;
pacing;
hand-wringing, and
fast-talking.
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Also talking and moving slow, or not moving at all, staying in one spot for hours on end.
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Depression can consist of feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt. Depression symptoms cause significant suffering in interpersonal relationships at home, school, or work.
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You must have either a depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure along with four or more of the symptoms. That has persisted for at least two weeks then it is time to start depression treatment.
I'm still not sure if depression treatment is for me.
Still unsure? Let me tell you a story.
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For the past month, Simone (they/them pronouns) felt like they have been dragging. Every action seemed to need so much effort. Simone, born in southern Georgia, had once loved the outdoors. Very active and athletic, Simone was always up for a good time, hiking, kayaking, and playing soccer.
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Nowadays, Simone only left the house to go to work, which they dreaded. It had been the dream job, hard-fought and finally won. Now everything and everyone at the job irritated Simone.
Work colleagues would say Simone was killing it. Simone felt guilty all the time. Simone knew there were 5 or 6 projects coming due and they had not been able to concentrate or get any work done. Each day the work piled up and the deadlines got closer.
When in the office, Simone would be very fidgety. They would be pacing the halls. Their workspace was a hot mess. In meetings, Simone's speech was hyperverbal and pressured. Often peers would ask that they talk slower. Worried all the time, Simone did not sleep most nights. The intrusive thoughts ran through their mind like an unstoppable freight train.
"I am stuck; nothing is ever going to change, and I don’t deserve to be happy" were a few of the negative thoughts rushing through Simone’s mind. Preventing restorative sleep and increasing irritability the next day, the intrusive thoughts continued. Simone was tired of being tired but didn’t know what to do.
Popular culture often paints a picture of depression in extreme forms. So when our experience doesn’t mirror that, we struggle to name what is happening within us as depression. Pop culture often presents depression as being sad, in reality, it is so much more nuanced.
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Depression can consist of physical pain, anger, to a lack of interest in almost everything. In pop culture, depression is usually triggered by a single event. Whereas in reality, depression can be chronic. It can feel like it has always been there and will always be there. On television and in movies, depression is often linked to a dramatic suicide attempt. The hero of the story then recuses the depressed person. In an instant, healing the depressive episode. Depression treatment is often shown in dull or negative light. So that the hero can be the savior and not the long hard work necessary in depression treatment.
Popular culture has misrepresented depression and depression treatment. For people struggling IRL with depression that may actually be dangerous.
Depression treatment is not just about thinking positively.
Depression treatment is not just affirmations in the mirror.
Depression treatment is not just about getting more sleep.
Depression treatment is being seen and heard.
Depression treatment is awareness, acceptance, and action.
Depression treatment is developing a solid foundation (eating, sleeping, and exercising).
Depression treatment is supportive, guided, and safe.
I am still not convinced that depression treatment is for me.
Still not convinced, let us continue the story,
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In the conference room waiting for a meeting to start, Simone sat at one end of the long oak table. Simone did not look up when Brianna entered the room. Brianna was short and powerful, her presence enhanced the energy of the space. Simone liked Brianna but honestly didn’t want to deal with anyone. Brianna sat at the opposite end of the table. Brianna said to Simone “are you all right? You seem to be in distress.” Before Simone could respond the other team members came into the room.
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Brianna came to Simone’s office later that day and closed the door behind her. “I know we are not friends like that but you know they say if you see something, say something.” “Brianna, what are you talking about?” “Let me ask you a few questions, if I’m wrong, I’m wrong and I will leave you be.” “ Ok, fine,” Simone replied, aggravated.
“Are you having a hard time sleeping? Is it hard to focus and get things done?” “Yes” “Does everything get on your nerves, in fact, do you feel like punching me right now?” Brianna asked as she leaned in with a smile. Simone with a grin said, “Yes, things have been hard recently.”
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“Look I am not trying to get in your business but I was struggling with depression last year. I started working with a therapist and I am doing a lot better. My therapist and I worked on being aware of how my depression shows up. Then to accept what was happening in my body. Last, to take actionable steps to manage those depressive symptoms.” “Bri, I am tired of feeling like this all the time.” “Trust me, depression treatment works, here is my therapist's contact information.”