Are you feeling sad, hopeless, numb, isolated, and not your usual self? Is it impossible to be motivated, feeling like you just can’t get things done? Is getting out of bed so challenging that, some days, you just don’t?
Do these thoughts often enter your mind?
- I am worthless.
- Nobody likes me and I can’t do anything about it.
- I feel guilty for just wanting to eat, sleep and be alone.
- I hate who I am. Everyone hates me too.
- I can’t stop crying
- I feel gut-wrenching pain, but no one understands.
- My life and the world around me are dark. I hate it, but I can’t change it.
Depression. Hits. Hard. And thinking about starting depression treatment can feel even harder. And, if you have had any variation of those thoughts, therapy for depression treatment can help. You are not alone, and there are therapists and treatments for depression that can help you to feel better. And you deserve to feel better.
What is Depression?
It is normal to occasionally feel sad, or blue. But these feelings are usually short-lived and may pass within hours or a few days.
Depressive disorders include major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and several others. However, the common feature among all depressive disorders is the presence of a sad, empty, or irritable mood, alongside other changes that significantly affect the individual’s capacity to function. These changes may include changes in sleep, appetite, or weight, trouble concentrating, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, or suicidal ideation, plan, or intent. Additionally, major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Each year about 6.7% of U.S adults experience major depressive disorder.
Do you notice yourself feeling more down, hopeless, or having trouble finding motivation during certain times of the year? Depression can also have a seasonal pattern, which is sometimes known as Seasonal Depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Oftentimes, this occurs during the colder, winter months when the days are shorter. This pattern affects so many and may require specific, time-limited treatment. This might include medication management, individual therapy, supportive group therapy, or a combination of all three!
Online Depression Treatment In North Carolina
Most likely, depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Depression is a mental illness, and, like many illnesses, there are a variety of treatment approaches! Different therapy approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can all help.
CBT for Depression Treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression has been found effective in helping people with depression change their negative thought patterns and help them to interpret situations in a more adaptive, realistic way. It has also been shown to help people improve self-esteem and may also help people recognize other factors, such as maladaptive behaviors, that may be making the depression worse. For those with mild to moderate depression, research suggests that CBT alone may be the best treatment option, offering significant symptom relief. However, for people with more severe depression or other complicating factors, cognitive behavioral therapy combined with medication has been found to be the most effective. However, a therapist in North Carolina can work collaboratively with you to discuss what treatment options may be right for you and, if requested, work alongside your medical team!
DBT for Depression Treatment
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment that helps clients to better regulate their emotions, better handle distressing situations, learn and practice mindfulness techniques, and improve upon their ability to relate to others in their life. DBT therapy has significant research support in being helpful in treating depression, anxiety, and trauma.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance is a newer therapy that has received a lot of attention in psychology research lately. Although relatively new, it has been the subject of numerous studies, showing it is effective with numerous disorders and psychological problems.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based therapy that incorporates elements of mindfulness meditation and newer behavioral therapy techniques. ACT is quite different from traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as it teaches people how to accept and embrace unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and sensations rather than trying to control or eliminate them. The paradox ACT works to address is that the more you try to avoid certain feelings, the more likely they are to hang around and negatively impact your life. Like other modalities, there is significant research to show ACT can have a dramatic impact on lessening symptoms of depression and helping people to improve their lives. ACT utilized six core principles to achieve psychological flexibility in depression treatment, including cognitive defusion, acceptance, contact with the present moment, observing the self, values work, and committed action.
EMDR for Depression Treatment
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for depression is another approach that can be useful. Traumatic and stressful life events may contribute to depression. Both trauma and depression can produce symptoms such as depressed mood, empty or sad feelings, negative thoughts about oneself, difficulties experiencing pleasure, and low self-esteem and self-worth. As such, EMDR therapy may offer relief from depressive symptoms by helping to resolve unprocessed trauma and adverse experiences, reframe negative beliefs, and create a more positive understanding of the self, resulting in improved mood, energy, and relationships.
Research has found that online therapy can be effective at treating anxiety, depression, and trauma. Additionally, research suggests client satisfaction does not depend on whether therapy is online or in-person. And for either method of receiving therapy, the outcomes are better the more sessions someone attends.
Start Online Depression Treatment in North Carolina Now
Do you want to improve your energy and feel motivated again?
Are you ready to improve your mood and laugh authentically?
Do you want to feel excited and ready to take on the day, and celebrate wins with those around you?
Do you want to feel able to enjoy drawing, rock climbing, going to the gym, or traveling again?
Are you ready to replace that fake smile that you feel you need to wear (so exhausting) with a real one? Or at least feel okay with not smiling, because, sometimes we just do not want to and that’s alright!
Reach out now! Our depression therapists throughout North Carolina can help! At Be BOLD Psychology we are trained in several forms of depression treatment both for individual therapy sessions and group therapy settings. We will work hard with you to find the best solution and get you feeling like yourself again.
Our team of depression therapists in NC have helped lots of folks regain the joy and purpose in their life that they deserve.
If you are hoping to finally lighten this load and feel like yourself again follow these steps:
- Contact us today for a free 20-minute consultation.
- Learn more about what therapy for depression treatment can do for you!
- Start realizing you are worth it, and you are wonderful.
We cannot wait to meet you.
Other Online Therapy Services We Offer in North Carolina
At Be BOLD Psychology we are here to support every person regardless of race, size, abilities, brain, sexual orientation, and gender. So all of our online therapy services are inclusive and affirming for all BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and neurodivergent clients. This includes support groups, individual services, and couples counseling.
We are here to support you if you are struggling with anxiety, grief, trauma, or PTSD. Additionally, if you are dealing with chronic pain or illness, or are a caregiver we can provide you with support and counseling.
