Counselling Can Help Your Depression

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Are you waking up another morning feeling unmotivated or sad? Do you find it hard to get out of bed or are you finding it difficult to deal with your thoughts and emotions?

 
Depression can have a negative effect on your quality of life. It can sometimes feel like each day is a struggle. The cause of depression varies, it could result from a sad event that has occurred in your life, such as the death of a loved one, loss of a job, or it could feel like it started without any a reason why. You may not be able to explain exactly why you feel depressed, but know that you do.  Friends and family may not understand why you are feeling depressed, or you may hide your feelings from them and put on " a happy face" when your around them or try to avoid spending time with them. The cause of depression varies and so does the severity, therefore the treatment approach has to also vary. 

Types Of Depression

There are several different types of depression. The major two that we will mention in this article are major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder.  

Major Depressive Disorder, also known as clinical depression, affects your moods and behaviours. To be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, you must exhibit symptoms for a minimum of two weeks. Symptoms such as, a loss of appetite, loss of interest in activities or interacting with others, trouble falling asleep or wanting to sleep excessively, feeling of sadness, tiredness, lack of energy daily, suicidal thoughts. 

Persistent Depressive Disorder is  long-term type of depression. It has similar symptoms to Major depressive disorder, where you lose interest in activities you used to enjoy, feel hopless, trouble sleeping, change in appetite. This depression is not as sever as major depressive depression because it can present itself as mild, but can also become severe.  

Depression Treatment Options 

There are many different approaches to treating depression. The choice of treatment is different for each individual, depending on severity. Below are a few treatment options. 

· Talk Therapy

Talk therapy allows you to have a one on one session with a counsellor to discuss your feelings, thoughts, behaviours associated with your depression. Your counsellor will work with you to identify triggers, past traumas and what may be contributing to your depression. Your counsellor will help you in changing your negative thoughts into positive ones.  Counselling can help your depression, it is a very powerful in treating depression. Counselling isn't an instant treatment, it will take time working with your counsellorto see the change you would like to see. Severity and length of your symptoms will determine the type of therapy that is best for you. Severe depression may require a psychiatrist or psychologists, meanwhile mild depression may require a counsellor

· Medications

There are several different types of antidepressants used to treat depression when medication is needed. The two most commonly prescribed ones are below.

Depression is associated with having  low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.  

Serotonin is know to improve our moods, it is connected to our positive feelings, meanwhile Norepinephrine is connected to our alertness and energy.

SSRIs ( Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are most often prescribed for both mild and severe depression. They work by stopping your feel good serotonin from returning back to the cells that initially released them. Popular brands are Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Luvox.

SNRIs ( Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)  are very similar to SSRIs, the major difference is they block the body from having norepinephrine return to the cells that released them.

 Popular brands are Effexor, Cymbalta, and Pristiq  

· Support Groups

Support groups can be very helpful in creating a space where you don't feel alone. Sometimes depression symptoms can come with a feeling of being lonely. Support groups provides a safe space with a group of others who may be experience the same or similar feelings that your experiencing. Google is one of the best ways to find a support group that is in your area. Online support groups are also quiet popular, where you are able to be easily access the support from your home. 

· Lifestyle Changes

Many lifestyle changes can assist in decreasing some of the symptoms of depression. Changing the foods you eat, intake more fruits, vegetables, water and less process foods and sugar.  Physical exercise can also help in making you feel better. You don;t have to go to the gym, just a nice walk outside can uplift your mood. Actively participating in activities that bring you joy can help in making you feel better. If you like to draw, watch movies, swim, skate, do healthy active activities that bring you joy. 

What  Happens In A Counselling Session?

During your counselling session your counsellor will start off by asking specific questions to get a strong understanding of your depression and how it has been affecting your quality of life. The counsellor will listen and provide a non judgmental space for you to share your feelings and  behaviours. Each session will get deeper into your thoughts, triggers and how to change the negative thoughts into positive ones. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is most often used during counselling sessions for depression. CBT is  very helpful in changing  your negative thinking which maybe triggering your depression into positive thoughts. Occassionally your counsellor will provide homework that will be beneficial for you to complete and will be reviewed the next session. This homework is usually very easy and continues to help you in between your sessions. 

How Can Our Counsellors Help?

Our counsellors have years of experiencing counselling individuals with depression. In a non judgemental space they discuss your feelings, thoughts, behaviours and work with you to find the triggers and cause of your depression . They help you identify past traumas, and patterns in your life that may be the source. At times it is hard to identify why you are feeling depressed or anxious, our counsellors, can help to provide clarity and help you to start feeling better. Our counsellors  teach you how to change your negative thoughts into positive ones, and healthy ways of handling negative thoughts and feelings when they do come. 

Counselling can help your depression. It can help you to get a better understanding of why your feeling depression and to start the process in feeling better. You want to feel better, you just don't know how. Our Counsellors can help. 

Can You Afford Counselling?

We know  the  cost of counselling can be expensive and is sometimes one of the reasons people don't start counselling. Virtually Calm has made sure that our counselling costs are affordable. We believe that counselling shouldn't be expensive when counselling can help your depression. 

We charge $65 per session and right now we have a 10% off of our regular rate. 

Don't let Depression stop you from spending time with friends or family, meeting new people, starting a romantic relationship, working, travelling, living your best life. Counselling can help your depression, it has helped many others. 

Fill out the form below if you would like to start counselling for your depression and to start feeling better.