Less enjoyment? More irritable? Less motivated?

You are more irritable than normal.  You seem to be less motivated.  Sleep is a distant dream.  Worst of  all, you do not enjoy your favorite activities anymore.  As a mental health therapist, I know that nearly everyone experiences periods of sadness and times of anxiety.  But how do we know if we are clinically depressed or clinically anxious?  Is there a depression test that tells us if we need depression therapy?  An anxiety test?

Some will benefit from depression therapy alone and, in other instances, a combination of medication management and anxiety therapy will bring needed relief.

Do I Have to Take Medication?

What about medication?  Our society has a very conflicted opinion about medication.  There seems to be a very deep seated aversion to medication.  I know because I was averse to medication.  But it has helped me tremendously.  See my blog: Should I Take Medication for Depression? In fact, in my closed-mindedness to medications, I may have experienced less enjoyment in my life for many years.  Certainly, not everyone will need medication.  Many may choose against it at the expense of their own happiness.  No one can make you take medication, so there is no harm in talking about it.  I’d hate to see you put off joy.

Does Therapy Really Help?

Over the past three decades, I have worked with and learned from many different types of therapists.  Certainly, therapy works!  I know it does.  In addition, I have lived with and researched the depression/anxiety constellation for almost 30 years.  My deep knowledge and wealth of strategies in this area will help you and yours to overcome depression.  Sometimes you have to feel your way out of depression; sometimes you have to act your way out.  Good therapy can lead you out.  I’ve done it myself!

I will Teach You to Overcome

I use a combination of talk therapy, cognitive therapy, and strategy building to help you resolve your depression.  As a result, depression ends, depression lessens.  Sometimes we need to talk about our feelings of depression; in contrast, sometimes we need to act our way out of depression.  I will help you move from learned helplessness to self-efficacy. You will learn how to tell others how you feel and what you want.  Finally, you will reflect upon the reality that no one can read your mind, even your spouse or partner.