What Steps Should I Take to Determine If I Need Therapy?
Only you can determine whether or not you need help. But you need to be honest with yourself and admit to your current problems and mood.
First of all, you need to assess whether or not you are depressed and then take action steps to find a therapist:
- Self-Assessment – Am I Depressed or Sad?
First, recovery begins by differentiating sadness from a deeper depressive disorder. Depression is deeper and more persistent, serious and painful than sadness. It is an over-bearing and ever-present mood disorder not just a temporary feeling of sadness or loss. Seeking personal clarity through self-evaluation can help you face your emotions honestly.
With this self-assessment and increased self-awareness, you can better deal with what is happening emotionally within you as well as admit your need for help. Your suffering should not be minimized or taken lightly.
- Seek Professional Help
Second, your next step is to identify and select a treatment professional to assist you back to feeling more positive and alive again. Once you’ve accepted that you are experiencing more than temporary melancholy and realize that you are significantly depressed, then you need to reach out for help.
However, when you’re feeling so low, the idea of seeking out a professional may seem overwhelming. Ask a friend or family member for help and don’t give up too soon.
Seeking professional assistance is an important step toward a healthy and happier life.
When looking for depression counseling, be sure to find someone who is knowledgeable, experienced and compassionate. Read my article on “How Do I Select a Depression Therapist?” by clicking on this link below: http://www.drrevelmiller.com/2019/10/how-do-i-select-a-therapist-for-my-depression/
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
Check out the diagnostic signs and symptoms of depression below and honestly identify how many you are currently experiencing. If you are suffering with 5 or more of these symptoms, then you are clinically depressed and need professional help to lift out of your depression.
Here Are the Main Diagnostic Signs and Symptoms of Major Depression:
- Depressed mood with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, apathy, emptiness and tearfulness
- Markedly diminished interest in sex and pleasurable activities
- Social isolation and withdrawal from usual social interactions
- Significant weight loss or gain, or decrease or increase in appetite
- Sleep disturbance at night or sleeping much more than usual
- Anger, physical agitation and mental distraction
- Sedentary behavior and slow movement
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Reduced ability to make decisions, concentrate, organize or think clearly
- Recurrent thoughts of death
- Suicidal ideas with or without a plan or an attempt
- These symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in the patients’ social and work functioning.
These symptoms are not attributed to drug abuse or a medical condition.
If you experience 5 or more of these symptoms above then you are probably depressed and can benefit from a professional evaluation and treatment.
One to three of these symptoms does not mean you suffer with Major Depression. You may be struggling with a short-term transitional challenge or reacting to a sad or disappointing event.
What Is Depression Treatment?
Several different types of “talk therapies” are a proven approach for many variations of depression. Medication treatment by a prescribing physician may also be helpful.
Although you may feel somewhat overwhelmed by assessing your symptoms of depression, you do have control over how you respond to depression and you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to lift out of it. They want you participating more actively in their lives! Put an end to your frustration and suffering. Don’t keep perpetuating it.
Wouldn’t you seek medical attention for a disturbing physical symptom or pain? Similarly, you are taking positive action by seeking professional help for your psychological and emotional depression. Don’t hesitate to seek treatment. You won’t regret it!
The positive news is that recovery is very possible. The goals of treatment are a lasting recovery, personal insight, restored energy and emotional growth.
You Are Not Alone
Depression is common and nothing to be ashamed of. At this very moment, there are millions of US citizens suffering from depression. At one time or another, it hits almost everyone.
I have provided depression counseling for hundreds of clients for over 30 years and I am ready to help you recover and live a more fulfilling life. Let’s work together and lift you out of the darkness. You deserve to feel better.
Please contact me soon for a consultation – 805-886-4050. Learn more about my services here: http://www.drrevelmiller.com/what-we-treat/depression-counseling/
