Depression Management

There is so much that needs to be done, but I can’t. No…I don’t want to. My body aches. My arms and legs feel heavy like I’m moving through a fog. I have no motivation or will to do anything. Even the things that I must do. All I want to do is sleep. I don’t want to eat. I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to bathe. I just want to sleep.

Have you felt this way recently? Does this describe your struggles, day in and day out.  Do you find yourself wanting to be “normal”? Wanting to be able to get up and do things that everyone else seems to be able to do…but you can’t? If so, then it sounds like you may be struggling with depression.

Depression can be debilitating. It can literally stop you in your tracks and prevent you from living a full life. Depression comes in a variety of forms, some of which you may already have heard of like Major Depressive Disorder or Pre and Post Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Depression can also be situational, meaning that it brought about by a change in your circumstance or may be as a result of a chemical or hormonal imbalance.

Managing your depression can be challenging and for many may require medication intervention.  The reason being that before any therapist can begin to help you explore coping strategies that have been proven effective in managing symptoms, bringing you to a stable point might be necessary.  This is where medication comes in.  Some believe that being on medication is a lifelong sentence.  This is not necessarily so. While some people will require medication in order for them to function, for others it may be a temporary solution that will allow you to get to a stable point so that consistent use of your coping skills will be beneficial.

Once you are stable, we will work with you to help you identify the coping skills that are most effective for you.  One of these skills will involve becoming physically active as it has been proven that even 10 to 15 minutes of physical activity several times a week can greatly improve your depressive symptoms.

I absolutely do not want to be on medication!

Whether or not you are prescribed medication for your depressive symptoms is a decision that you make with your medical provider or psychiatrist. Though we will make recommendations that we believe may be in your best interest, you get the final say.

Will I have to be on medication for the rest of my life?

That will depend on your diagnosis as well as your response to the medication protocol that your medical provider recommends.

My coping skills no longer work. What do I do?

We will work with you help you identify other strategies that may prove to be more effective.

Managing your depression on your own can be challenging. However, we are here to assist you and will work with your psychiatrist as part of your wellness team to help you improve. If you are ready, contact us now to schedule your appointment.