Upper Valley Therapist FAQ: Is this Really Depression?

Most of us have a day now and then when we feel sad or a little down. It is normal to feel this way from time to time. Perhaps a difficult work situation is not getting resolved, or tension at home is putting a strain on the partners in a marriage. How can a person tell when the tendency to feel down is something more than just stressful circumstances? Could it be depression? One way to determine what the problem might be is to ask yourself a few questions.

First, how long has the feeling lasted? A day or two? A couple of weeks? If it has persisted for more than a day or two, there may be other signs which could indicate a person is struggling with depression.

 

Signs of Depression Can Include

• Difficulty Getting to Sleep, or Sleeping Much More Than Usual

• Lack Of Interest in Activities Which are Normally Pleasurable

• Tiredness and Lack of Energy Even if You are Getting Enough Sleep

• Feeling Guilty or Worthless

• Difficulty Focusing or Making Decisions

• Thoughts of Suicide

 

What if several of these signs are present? Does that automatically mean there is a case of depression? Perhaps, but there are ways to treat even the most serious depression. First, a therapist might suggest that a client see their family physician to get a thorough physical. It is important to check on physical health to determine whether there might be any organic causes for the depression. In addition, the therapist and the client are in a good place to begin the process of learning how to work together. As part of this process, the therapist will want to know as much as possible about the client. This will assist the therapist in understanding what it is that encourages the depression.

It can be difficult to distinguish depression from grief. Grief involves a significant loss but it can also evolve into depression. Grief and depression are complicated issues and we will discuss grief in more depth in a future blog entry.

If you think you may be suffering from depression, you don’t have to do so alone. Get in touch with Vermont Talk Therapy and make a connection with one of our therapists.

_{*Each individual’s circumstances are unique. The content of the Vermont Talk Therapy blog is intended to provide general information and should not be taken as therapeutic advice. To begin therapy or discuss your specific needs, get in touch with the therapists of Vermont Talk Therapy.}