Depression Treatment in Los Angeles, CA

People who are depressed report a variety of symptoms. Some signs of depression include:

• Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy.

• Sleeping much more or much less than you used to.

• A persistent feeling of sadness, despair, and emptiness.

• A decrease in energy.

• Difficulty concentrating and getting things done.

• Appetite or weight changes.

• Thoughts of death or suicide (if you are currently contemplating suicide, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255).

• Irritability.

• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness.

• Teariness or more frequent crying.

• Body aches, headaches, and digestive problems.

• Anxiety.

If you have been feeling several of the above symptoms for over two weeks, you may have depression. Before assuming that you have depression, we recommend consulting with a depression therapist in Los Angeles, CA.

Note that there are different types of depression, as well:

• Major depression. People who struggle with major depression display symptoms of depression (like the ones we've listed above) for at least two weeks.

• Persistent depressive disorder. Those with persistent depressive disorder have been struggling with symptoms of depression for two years or longer.

• Postpartum depression. After birth, some women suffer from postpartum depression. In addition to the symptoms that we listed above, these women can also feel overwhelmed and experience mood swings.

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Seasonal affective disorder typically occurs during the winter months since darker weather triggers SAD. The symptoms are the same, but SAD comes and goes with the seasons.

People experience and describe depression in different ways, but if any of this sounds like your experience, consult with a therapist or medical professional to discuss ways to feel better.

There is no one real cause of depression; it's different for everyone. Depression is a complicated mental illness. As a result, we can't point to one thing that triggers a season of depression. Often, multiple factors cause depression and are usually a combination of genetic, biological, mental, emotional, and situational factors.

That being said, we notice some patterns when our clients come in for help with their depression. Here are a few common causes of depression:

• A trauma.

• A loss.

• Certain medications whose potential side effects are depression.

• Genetics (you are more likely to get depression if it runs in your family).

• Major events or transitions.

• Personal problems like family conflict, relationship problems, social isolation, and more.

It's important to identify the cause of your depression. You can do that with the help of depression treatment in Los Angeles, CA.

Although we think that stress is psychological, it's deeply biological as well.

When we're stressed, our human systems are in overdrive. Our hormones are out of balance and surge and drop unhealthily. We can't fall asleep or stay asleep, which leaves us tired in the mornings. Since we're so overwhelmed with whatever pressures we are facing, anything can put us over the edge. Thus, causing mood crashes and irritability.

It's no wonder that all this inconsistency and imbalance causes depression. Additionally, stress often arises from challenging life transitions or circumstances. These may include starting college, mourning a loved one, having a baby, balancing multiple jobs, or experiencing the pressures of modern-day living. Stress can also be triggered by trauma related to racism, homophobia, sexism, ableism, and the state of the world.

Anxiety, depression, and stress are closely related. It's not surprising if you're experiencing two or more of these things at the same time.

There are many ways to treat depression.

We take a holistic approach to depression treatment. So, we suggest treatments that address all parts of your life. For example, we recommend treating depression by:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Eat as healthily as you can, exercise if you can (a short walk goes a long way!), get enough sleep, and practice self-care.

• Seeing a therapist. We're biased (of course), but therapy is an excellent way to understand and ease your depression.

• Making life changes. If you're able to identify things that trigger your depression, you can work towards changing them for the better.

• Creating a routine. One of the hardest parts of depression is not being able to do the things that you used to. Perhaps you can’t bring yourself to care anymore, or maybe you don't have the motivation to complete day-to-day tasks. A schedule can help you do what you need to do and get better.

• Doing positive things. Go to a fun movie with your friends, walk your dog in the park, listen to your favorite artist... although you may not feel entirely better, positive activities can help distract and uplift you.

• Practicing positive self-talk. Listen to your thoughts. Do you talk about yourself the way that you would talk about your best friend? Give yourself the same grace and patience as you would to a loved one. You are going through a hard time—you need extra self-love.

There are other forms of treatment as well, like group therapy and medication.

Picking a depression therapist is an important decision. When consulting with a therapist, keep the following things in mind:

• Did we get along? You should bond naturally and enjoy the company of your therapist.

• Did I feel understood? Feeling understood is a sign that you and the therapist are a good fit.

• Did I feel safe? Therapy is vulnerable. You should highly trust the therapist.

• Do they specialize in what I'm going through? Your therapist should have experience helping people like you.

You'll often have a sense after the consultation if you and the therapist are a good fit. But, these guidelines will help to go into a consultation.