Depression: What Is It, How to Deal With It, and What Does it Say About Me?

Depression is more than just the feeling of laziness. It is more than just feeling sad for a few days in a row. Do you ever feel like your closest friends or your family members are unable to understand you? Do they tell you to “snap out of it?” My goodness, why didn’t you think of this great idea! Only if depression was that simple.

Depression is like a weight pulling your body down, so massive that you have to gather the strength to push against it and lighten the impact every day. Depression is debilitating.

Some people understand it, and some think it’s an attention call. But depression is like that pile of laundry that you don’t want to show in your Instagram pictures. You want your life to seem happy and put together, so you pretend as long as you can act in front of the people, but deep down, you know what the hell you’re going through. You are not alone in this!

It Is Impossible to Just Snap Out of It

Do those motivational quotes on social media do anything, but motivate you? Remember that analysis about that glass of water, half full? Yes, that’s always been half-empty for you. Depression is real, and you just cannot snap out of it because people tell you to cheer up or be happy. Depression can affect every aspect of your routine. Nobody wants to be depressed.

You Do Not Have a Reason for Being Depressed

Do you feel like you cry more when no one’s around? More often than not, depression would cause you to sit in your room and cry, usually for no reason. Do you let the shower water run down with your tears, to give them company? Do you feel alone even with a group of friends or family? It’s okay; we can help you with that.

You know how during breakups, they say, “It’s not you, it’s me”? Well, first of all, it’s impossible to have this breakup with depression. During this unthinkable breakup, tell yourself, “it’s not you; it’s depression.”

Depression and Just Being Sad Are Two Very Different Things

So, what does depression feel like? What is depression? Depression tells you that you have no value in this world. It tells you that everyone who cares about you hates you and is talking behind your back. See, having negative emotions is part of the human experience such as self-loathing, restlessness, agitation, anger, tiredness, hollowness, sadness, and anxiety, to name but a few. But depression has the unique ability to make you feel those negative emotions almost all the time. Depression is a liar. It tells you things about yourself that are not true. You are not worthless. Everyone does not hate you—your existence matters.

You Are Trying Your Best to Get Through Depression – It Is Not a Choice

It’s depression. It’s depression that makes you lose interest in the activities you once enjoyed – like birdwatching, sitting in waiting rooms, watching TV commercials, going through junk mail, and just the routine of your everyday life. It feels dull. It feels boring. It feels like you’re standing motionless amidst the chaos of this world. The inability to shake this feeling off can sometimes make you feel trapped and feel hopeless. You feel annoyed with anyone who tries to approach you and interact with you. Small things begin to trigger you, so you have outbursts or your breakdown. Depression is not a choice.

Do you know what binge-watching TV is? Do you ever feel like you are binge-eating or binge-sleeping? Imagine how tiring that must be. Eat, sleep, depression, repeat.

So, What Does Depression Say About Me?

Ah! The mental health stigma surrounding depression doesn’t let people discuss it openly and accept it.  Depression doesn’t leave scars, not always. And it’s hard to say how bad it is if you can’t see the wound. Depression makes you overthink things, and you end up thinking that everything is your fault, but it’s not. Depression does not define you. Discussing it with a professional is a vital step towards ending the stigma surrounding depression. There is still a lot of work to be done, but it is a start. Stigma is still out there, and it is silencing people struggling who need our help! If you know someone going through a difficult time, if you have even the slightest doubt, reach out to us.

What Causes Depression?

Various factors may contribute to developing this mental health disorder.

  • Inherited due to genetics
  • Neurotransmitters in the brain, due to the frontal lobe’s relative inactivity
  • Other health complications like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insomnia and chronic illness and pain
  • Environmental factors like traumatic childhood experiences or stress-inducing events like the loss of a significant individual in your life, financial issues, or the end of a long-term relationship.

If left untreated, the causes of depression may build-up, and it may get worse over time. These are some of the consequences you may have to deal with:

  • Weight gain or loss
  • More physical symptoms like pains in different parts of your body
  • Substance abuse
  • Mental breakdowns or panic attacks
  • Trouble with relationships
  • Isolating yourself from friends and family
  • The intensity of self-harm thoughts increasing
  • Increased likelihood of inflicting harm upon oneself

So, this is what depression feels like that brings us to our next question. Is it possible to treat depression? The answer is yes, but it is a slow and steady journey that requires consistency.

Does Music Help with Depression?

Music helps depression by:

  • Helping depressed individuals express themselves non-verbally.
  • Producing more dopamine, also known as the happy hormone.
  • Making you want to physically move with the beats, diverting your attention away from depression.

There are two types of music therapies.

Active Music Therapy uses musical instruments and voice, to compose music to express your feelings and emotions. The therapist and the patient produce this together.

Passive Music Therapy involves listening to music passively while doing other activities like exercising, meditating, painting, drawing, or any other activity that makes you self-reflect. Then, the therapist asks the patient to reflect on what this type of music made them feel, or the memories that it rose to surface again.

Besides music therapy, there are other therapies available to combat depression.

How to Ask for Help with Depression?

Speak to us online to start the consultation sessions immediately by visiting the MindShift Psychological Services website, or simply call (714) 584-9700 straight away, for the type of therapy that suits your needs best. There a variety of therapies available to assist you in dealing with depression. You are not alone. You got this!

Depression Therapy

Do you strongly feel guilty? Do you think that life is meaningless every day? Do you feel helpless? If so, depression therapy may be the right one for you. It is a type of psychotherapy that gives you the chance to express yourself in a non-judgemental and neutral environment, in person, or over a video call.

EMDR Therapy

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing help you overcome traumatic experiences that may be the root of depression for you, by discussing your past in-depth, and helping you perceive these events differently. It is done via the therapist leading your eyes to follow their hand movements. It is a unique type of eye-therapy that can change your life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This type of therapy encourages you to talk to your therapists about all your thoughts. It helps you change the negative patterns of your emotions, behaviors, and thinking. CBT guides you to respond and react to situations more efficiently. It can make you see things from a different perspective since it is a hands-on approach to treating depression.

There are several other types of therapies that may be beneficial for dealing with depression, for different age groups, like Psychotherapy for Couples, Psychotherapy for Individuals, Teletherapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Trauma Therapy, Child Psychology, Teen Therapy, and LGBTQ+.

More About MindShift Wellness Center

Let us restore the strength of your mind. Let us help you rejuvenate. Let’s start healing together, as this is your safe space to express, relive, and set yourself free for life. It is never too late to ask for help. To learn more and benefit from the therapy of your choice with MindShift Psychological Services, get started here in our EMDR Therapy & Services page.