Do you feel void of motivation, confidence, purpose or direction? Have you lost interest in activities that you once enjoyed? Perhaps you feel helpless or hopeless and often wonder what the point of doing anything is. Or maybe you feel lethargic, heavy and struggle to get through each day. Have you turned to drugs, alcohol, food or TV as a way to numb out, feel something different or feel anything at all? Do you feel isolated or disconnected from others and carry a sense of shame about how bad you feel? Do you wish you could feel okay within yourself, motivated to engage in the world and connected to those around you?
Coping with depression can be a lonely, heavy and hopeless experience. You might struggle to get out of bed each morning, feeling overwhelmed at even the thought of having to engage with others or get through the tasks ahead. You may trudge through the motions of your day, carrying a heavy shame and sadness, just wanting to be alone. Your productivity at work may be down and your relationships with others may be strained, especially if they don’t understand the depression experience. And, regardless of how hard you try, you may be struggling to connect with any feelings of focus, motivation or joy.
You Are Not Alone
If you are struggling with depression, you are not alone. Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the U.S., with roughly 14.8 million Americans being diagnosed with clinical depression each year. And, that statistic doesn’t account for the countless more Americans who struggle silently with bouts of depression and/or depression symptoms. Because there is so much isolation and shame in depression, it is not talked openly about in our culture. Most people try to hide it and suffer quietly.
Depression can be caused by a variety of factors and symptoms present on a wide spectrum. Some people are predisposed to depression while others develop depression following a trauma, loss or difficult life transition. Many people suffer from a low-level depression and carry around uncomfortable feelings of heaviness, dread or discomfort for most of their lives. For other people, depression can become so severe that they struggle to get out of bed, engage in self-harming behavior and entertain suicidal thoughts.
While it’s common for everyone to go through periods of time when they feel down and discouraged, if you’ve been struggling with feelings of sadness, hopelessness or a lack of energy and motivation for a while, it’s best to be proactive and seek help. An experienced and compassionate depression therapist can help you reclaim your vitality and engage in life with greater comfort, joy and ease.
