Do you lack interest for your every day activities? Do find yourself faking being “happy” in social settings? Do you want to sleep a lot? Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of every day life, but when sadness takes over and will not go away, it may be depression. The symptoms of depression may include loneliness, withdrawal from loved ones, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, loss of interest in activities, loss of sleep, low sex drive, and loss of appetite. When people are depressed they carry with them a lot of negative self-talk which is also referred to as cognitive distortions. An example of a cognitive distortion is “No one likes me”, “I am a failure” or “I cant do anything right.” Often times these generalizations reinforce the feelings of depression and the cycle continues.
According to research the major theme with depression is the loss of hope in the life of an individual. Depression is like wearing a pair of sunglasses. No matter the light that is present, the individual’s perception of their reality is often a shade darker than reality. In therapy our goal figuratively speaking is to take the sunglasses off. We do this by working together with the individual to provide them with valuable tools and strategies that empower them with a real sense of hope. We work together with the individual and the individual’s family in therapy. We take on a holistic perspective with the treatment of depression; this process may include evaluating the quality of one’s relationships, career, family life, life goals, self-talk, hobbies, spirituality, and physical activity. We commit to being completely curious about you, empowering you with new tools, and holding you accountable with behavioral and attitude change.
If you or a loved one lives in or around the Denver area and is suffering from depression, counseling can help. Call the Center for Healing and Change today to set up your initial consultation at 303-481-4229.