Depression Counseling
DEPRESSION COUNSELING
Lacamas Counseling Serves Vancouver, Camas, Washougal Washington and the surrounding areas
Depression refers to periods of sadness that can vary widely in how long they last, how often they occur, and how much they impact day-to-day functioning. Depression is a common experience. Depression can be a one-time incident or it can be a reoccurring experience. Depression can include changes in your thoughts, behaviors, activities and energy, sleep patterns, eating habits, and personal functioning. Periods of sadness may come and go with life changes, events and experiences, growth and development, and various relationship interactions.
Depression may be diagnosed as a mental health disorder when it impacts your ability to function at home, school, work, or in your relationships.
Symptom Self-Check
Do you notice yourself feeling more times of sadness?
Do you feel more lethargic than normal?
Are there times when you can’t stop crying?
Have you lost interest in your normal activities?
Are you experiencing difficulties in falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early?
Are you more tired during the daytime?
Do you feel drained and without energy to do things?
Are you having difficulty focusing and concentrating?
Have you had thoughts about harming yourself, ending your life, or wishing you were dead?
Do you feel worthless about your life or question your value?
Have you lost hope for the future?
Treatments for Depression:
Depression can be treated and it’s important to work with a professional to help identify an effective treatment plan for depression. Treatment for depression can include:
- Counseling
- Medications (i.e. antidepressants, mood stabilizers)
- Group counseling
- Social support
- Education and empowerment
- Self-care (sleep hygiene, exercise, nutrition)
- Light therapy
- Stress management and reduction
- Increase in pleasurable activities
- Self-reflection (mindfulness, meditation, journaling, gratitude)
- Assertiveness training
- Spiritual integration (prayer, faith groups)
If you are experiencing any symptoms of depression that are impacting your well-being and functioning, please connect with Lacamas Counseling for professional therapeutic support to address and alleviate your symptoms of depression.
Additional Resources for Depression:
Factsheet for Depression by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Mental health diagnoses of depression include:
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
A depressed mood and/or a lack of interest or pleasure in activities, with possible feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or excessive guilt, possible thoughts of death or suicide, as well as significant changes in weight, appetite, sleep, energy, motivation, physical activity, and/or concentration.
PERSISTENT DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (DYSTHYMIA)
A depressed mood and other symptoms that consistently occurs for at least 1-2 years, with little times of relief.
PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER
A significant pattern of mood changes (i.e. mood swings and sensitivities, depression, anger or irritability, anxiety) and other symptoms that are connected to the female menstrual cycle.
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER WITH SEASONAL PATTERN (SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER)
A seasonal pattern (generally in the fall or winter) of experiencing Major Depressive Disorder, followed by seasons (generally in the spring or summer) with no or few symptoms.
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER WITH PERIPARTUM ONSET (POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Major Depressive Disorder that occurs during pregnancy or one month after delivery.
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER WITH PSYCHOTIC FEATURES
Major Depressive Disorder with hallucinations or delusions. Hallucinations can be auditory (i.e. voices or sounds), visual (i.e. images, blurs, or shadows), or olfactory (i.e. smells). Delusions are persistent beliefs about something that will not change no matter the evidence that contradicts it.