Navigating Depression and Mood Concerns
Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a persistent low mood can be deeply impactful, affecting every aspect of life. If you're struggling with depression or other mood concerns, such as persistent irritability or significant mood swings, please know that you're not alone and effective therapeutic support is available. Therapy can help you understand these experiences and develop strategies to improve your well-being.
What Can Depression and Mood Concerns Look Like?
Depression and other mood concerns can manifest differently in each person. Some common signs and symptoms might include:
- Emotional: Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness; loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed (anhedonia); feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt; irritability or frustration.
- Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions; negative or pessimistic thinking; thoughts of death or suicide (if present, please see our Crisis & Emergency Support page immediately).
- Physical: Significant changes in appetite or weight (increase or decrease); sleep disturbances (insomnia or oversleeping); fatigue or loss of energy; unexplained aches and pains.
- Behavioral: Withdrawal from social activities and relationships; decreased productivity at work or school; neglecting personal care; increased use of substances.
If these experiences are persistent and significantly impacting your life, reaching out for professional help is a courageous step.
How Therapy Can Help with Depression and Mood Concerns
- Explore Contributing Factors: Understand the biological, psychological, social, and relational factors that may be contributing to your depression or mood difficulties.
- Challenge Negative Thought Patterns: Identify and modify unhelpful or distorted thinking patterns that maintain low mood.
- Increase Positive Activities (Behavioral Activation): Collaboratively identify and gradually re-engage in activities that bring a sense of pleasure, accomplishment, or connection.
- Develop Coping Skills: Learn strategies for managing difficult emotions, stress, and negative thoughts.
- Improve Interpersonal Relationships: Address how mood concerns may be impacting your relationships and how relationships may be impacting your mood.
- Process Underlying Issues: Explore any past experiences, grief, or unresolved conflicts that might be connected to your current mood state.
- Build Self-Compassion and Hope: Foster a more compassionate understanding of yourself and cultivate a sense of hope for the future.
Living with depression or persistent mood difficulties can feel isolating, but change is possible. Kirsten Tretbar, LMFT, is experienced in helping individuals navigate these challenges, find relief from distressing symptoms, and rediscover a sense of engagement and joy in life.
If you're ready to explore how therapy can help you navigate depression or other mood concerns, we encourage you to schedule an initial consultation.