Depression is a mood disorder that has affected 19 million Americans in the past year according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Depression is more than going through a rough patch or feeling sad, it is a serious condition that is, fortunately, highly treatable with the right resources.
There are seven different types of depression, including Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Postpartum Depression, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Psychotic Depression. Depression is a mental illness that affects each individual differently, so the best treatment approach is one tailored to a person’s specific needs.
We spoke to psychotherapist and Family Relations Intervention founder, Brad Jaffe, to learn more about depression and how it is treated.
Q: What are some of the symptoms of depression?
Brad: I often hear people describe their depression as a constant feeling of sadness and a loss of interest in everyday activities they had previously enjoyed. A noticeable lack of energy can make even small tasks difficult to complete and people can feel tired but have trouble sleeping. People can experience feelings of worthlessness or guilt and fixate on blaming themselves for perceived failures.
Q: Have you noticed that the pandemic has produced higher levels of depression?
Brad: We know that depression rates in the US almost tripled during the pandemic, and it’s something we have noticed in our practice. Depression is usually the result of a combination of factors, such as genetics, brain chemistry, life events and stress. For most of us, the pandemic was an unexpected life event that caused stress through unemployment, health concerns, isolation and general anxiety about the world around us. A psychotherapist’s job is to help those particularly affected by current events learn healthy ways to cope with stress - skills that can be used in the future as new challenges present in people’s lives.
Q: How does psychotherapy help people work through depression?
Brad:Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy and provides a safe space for someone who Is experiencing depression to talk to a licensed and trained professional about their thoughts and feelings. Psychotherapy sessions help individuals and their therapist identify and work through things that are causing depression, and involve problem solving and learning coping skills. Talking to a professional is the first line of treatment for depression.
Q: What can people hope for after seeking psychotherapy?
Brad: Everyone deserves to live a life of peace and contentment and depression can take those things away fromindividuals as well as their families. The goal of psychotherapy is to find the root cause (or causes) of a person’s depression and help them regain a sense of control and pleasure in life. Therapy sessions will help build skills that allow a person going through depression to recognize and redirect negative or distorted thinking, pinpoint life problems that may be contributing to their depression and discuss other thoughts or behaviors that could be problematic. These and other coping techniques can help a person navigate future episodes of depression and there is evidence that ongoing psychotherapy may lessen the chance of future episodes of depression, or reduce their intensity.
Q: Do you have any helpful day-to-day tips for people managing depression?
Brad: Keeping up with scheduled therapy appointments is vital, but there is a lot that people can do at home between sessions. Routine can be helpful - eat well, try to get some good quality sleep and do some light exercise each day. Make time for self care as well as activities that you enjoy. Journaling can be helpful to identify causes of anxiety or depression and also those moments that were positive or times you felt happy. A journal is also a very effective way of expressing thoughts and feelings that may not be easy to talk about. Depression can be very draining and some days are easier than others. Take it slowly and don’t be too hard on yourself.
Q: What advice would you give someone seeking treatment for depression?
Brad: Recognizing that you’re not feeling like yourself is the first step on the road to recovery. It’s important to remember that depression is not a weakness, it’s a serious mental health issue that you can’t simply talk yourself out of. Psychotherapy is the first part of treatment and sharing your feelings can be a difficult process, so it’s important to find a therapist you trust and feel safe and comfortable with.
Family Relations Intervention specializes in therapy with the goal of helping people lead contented and fulfilled lives. Contact us today for a confidential discussion about how we can help.