Is Depression Weighing You Down? Here’s How Therapy Can Help Lift You Up
Depression is more than just feeling "down" for a few days
It’s a persistent and often debilitating condition that can affect every part of your life—your thoughts, your emotions, your relationships, and even your physical health. If you’re experiencing depression, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common mental health issues people face, and it’s treatable with the right support.
The Common Myth About Depression
A common misconception about depression is that it’s simply a case of feeling sad or down in the dumps for a little while. “Oh, you’re just having a bad day,” people might say. (the Victorian era (circa 1909) slang term for this would be you’ve “got the morbs.”) Well, imagine being told that on your worst day—and then being told to just “get over it.” That doesn’t help, does it?
Unfortunately, depression is far more than just the occasional funk we all feel when we get a bad grade on a test or after watching a sad movie (looking at you, The Notebook). It’s a complex mental health condition that involves both emotional and physical symptoms, and it’s not something that can be easily willed away. Research has shown that depression can lead to alterations in brain function and structure, influencing how we experience emotions, regulate mood, and respond to stress (Duman & Aghajanian, 2012). This complexity underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to treatment, as depression is not just a matter of feeling sad.
Depression is far more than a fleeting mood. It’s a condition that affects your body, your mind, and how you approach the world around you. You may feel exhausted even after a full night’s sleep, lose interest in activities you once enjoyed, or feel like there’s no way out of the sadness. It's also much more than a mental issue—because it affect your physical health, leading to changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and even aches and pains.
And, yes, it’s entirely possible to feel both sad and tired at the same time. It’s one of the unique qualities of depression—it’s like your mind and body decide to team up and conspire against you.
Breaking the Cycle of Depression
It’s completely understandable to feel like you’re drowning when depression hits. You might feel stuck in a dark hole with no ladder in sight. But here's where therapy comes in: it’s like having a personal guide who’s not afraid to be with, as we collaboratively figure out a way help you out of that hole.
Therapy is one of the most effective treatments for depression because it helps you not only understand what’s causing it, but also how to break free from the cycle of negativity. In therapy, you’ll work with a trained therapist to uncover the root causes of your depression—whether it's tied to life circumstances, unresolved trauma, or even just the way you think about yourself.
“Depression is not a personal failure—it’s a condition that requires care and support.”
Depression often comes with a side of negative thinking that can make you feel stuck. "I’m not good enough," "Nothing will ever get better," "Is that ice cream... or am I just eating my feelings?" These thought patterns reinforce feelings of hopelessness and make it hard to see a way forward. But therapy helps you break these cycles and start to think in a way that’s kinder to yourself.
Therapy offers you an opportunity to express and explore yourself in a safe, non-judgmental space—which is an important part of healing—and therapy also focuses on practical strategies and skills to manage your depression. You might even be surprised at how many of those negative thoughts don’t hold up when you shine a little light on them.
How Therapy Helps You Manage Depression
A trained therapist who can help you understand the root causes of your depression. Maybe it's linked to a specific life event—like a difficult breakup or a job loss—or perhaps it’s something you’ve been carrying around for a while. Therapy helps you figure out what’s behind it and how to move forward.
A therapist can also help you develop practical strategies for managing depression day-to-day. Think of it as building a toolbox to help you get through tough times. This might include setting small, manageable goals (like getting out of bed before 11 AM), learning ways to challenge negative self-talk, or developing self-care routines such as exercise, better nutrition, and building a solid support system. It’s not about one quick fix; it’s a holistic approach that involves working on both your mind and body. Over time, you can begin to rebuild hope and get back to feeling like yourself again.
In a nutshell
Depression is tough, but it’s not unbeatable. With therapy, you can break free from the cycle of negative thinking and start feeling better. If you're ready to take that first step, I’m here to help. Together, we can work on a plan that’s right for you, with plenty of compassion (and maybe a few laughs along the way).
“Therapy is about gaining insight, breaking negative cycles, and learning new ways to cope with the symptoms of depression. And maybe even enjoying the ice cream without guilt!”
Taking the First Step Toward Feeling Better
If you live in California and are looking for therapy near me or therapy for depression in California, I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist, with a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy, with over 10 years of experience helping individuals like you manage and treat depression. I can help you explore the treatment options that fit best for your situation. I offer in-person therapy in Redlands, CA, and telehealth sessions for clients all across California.
Ready to talk more? You can set up a free 15-minute consultation with me. No judging, I’m just here to help.
References:
Duman, R. S., & Aghajanian, G. K. (2012). Synaptic plasticity and depression: Changing the way we think. Neuropsychopharmacology, 37(1), 127–142. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2011.251
This blog post was created with the assistance of AI to help with flow and organization.