I often hear stories in my office regarding concern about perhaps a spouse’s lack of follow through, a client being unmotivated, a teenager going from earning all A’s and then dropping to C’s. Many people become harsh when addressing what is going on. A spouse may complain that their partner never gets anything done, or a parent may express that their teenager has grown lazy and rebellious. When I slow things down and try to get a picture of what is going on with the person struggling, I often times find signs of depression.
Feeling empty, deflated, lethargic, struggling with follow through, body aches, and negative self talk, are all signs that depression may be lurking. Often times, when people get a string of disappointment in their life, feelings of depression may follow. Continuing life patterns that are unhealthy whether they involve substance abuse, dating unhealthy men or women, hanging out with friends who are not supportive, can contribute to negative patterns. Negative patterns can lead to feelings of depression, emptiness, and disempowerment.
Identifying the culprit at the root of the depression is key to experiencing relief. If you have experienced a recent loss, understanding the levels of grief may help you understand the extreme sadness. If depression runs in your family, you may have a biologic cause. Dissolving negative patterns can be achieved through talk therapy, recognizing issues, trying to step out of the patterns and try something different. Depression may feel disempowering, but there are many ways to regain control, happiness, and direction. Counseling can help you achieve this.