Orlando Therapist: Everything You Need to Know About Depression
Orlando Therapist: Everything You Need to Know About Depression
Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC
Almost every morning, you lay in bed after another sleepless night, not wanting to get up. The chronic worry, sadness, and guilt weigh you down. You feel extremely alone and isolated. Negative thoughts that pop up out of nowhere regularly end in feeling self-hatred and worthlessness, exacerbating your discomfort and sadness. Fatigue, low energy, and strange aches all contribute to the stress. Maybe you’ve also been isolating yourself from social situations, struggling more in your relationships, and losing interest in all those things you once enjoyed. All of this feels so overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through this alone.
As an Orlando therapist who works with clients battling trauma and depression, I understand how feeling constantly overwhelmed by sadness and hopelessness can be incredibly isolating.
At Mindful Living Counseling in Orlando, you will find a safe environment to navigate these challenging emotions, address their root causes, and rebuild your well-being.
Understanding Depression
Everyone feels down at one time or another. However, depression is much more than just feeling sad or going through a difficult time. Depression is a mental health condition that affects how you feel, think, and behave.
Types of Depression
There are several types of depression. The most severe depressive disorder is major depressive disorder, also called clinical depression. Other common types of depressive disorder are:
Bipolar disorder
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), also known as Dysthymia
Postpartum depression
Seasonal affective disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Depression with psychotic features
Atypical depression
Understanding the many varieties of depression will help you recognize that your symptoms have a name and can be treated. Counseling for depression can help you develop strategies to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Symptoms of Depression: Guidance from an Orlando Therapist
When you’re dealing with depression, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. However, depression can also impact your ability to think, focus, and make decisions, interrupt your relationships and social life, and cause various physical concerns.
Emotional Signs
Feeling sad, hopeless, and worthless most of the time
Guilt and shame
Self-loathing
A deep sense of being stuck
Feeling irritable or angry, even over “small” things
Inability to relax and feel at ease
Behavioral Signs
Withdrawal and social anxiety
Problems in relationships
Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities
Loss of interest in once pleasurable hobbies
Causes of Depression
Cognitive Symptoms
Attention and focus difficulties
Reduced ability to think
Reduced ability to make decisions
Forgetfulness
Automatic negative thoughts
Thoughts about suicide
Physical Symptoms
A persistent lack of energy
Fatigue
Low libido
Changes in sleep habits
Unexplained pains and aches
Depression often results from a complex interplay of biological, genetic, and personal factors and traumatic experiences that can profoundly impact mental health. Understanding the causes of your depression can help you address the source of the issues you are experiencing and seek appropriate treatment.
Biological Factors
Genetics: Depression can run in your family. If you have a family history of depression, you might be more susceptible to experiencing it yourself. However, genetics alone don't determine your mental health; they interact with other environmental factors. It is believed that a person may inherit a gene for depression, which may or may not manifest in reaction to specific life events.
Brain chemistry: According to research, an imbalance of the chemicals in your brain that help regulate mood, specifically serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, can trigger depression. Imbalances in these chemicals may affect how your brain interprets emotions and processes stress, leading to depression symptoms.
Life Events
Significant life transitions, such as divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one, can disrupt our sense of stability and well-being, leading to depression. Even positive changes, such as starting a new job or becoming a parent, can be highly stressful. Additionally, adverse life experiences, such as traumatic events or abuse, can often lead to depression symptoms.
Personality Traits
Certain personality traits, such as being overly self-critical and having a pessimistic outlook or low self-esteem, might make it harder for you to cope with life's challenges. This can lead to persistent feelings of hopelessness and isolation and increase the risk of developing depression.
The Connection Between Trauma and Depression
Trauma, whether from unhealed adverse childhood experiences, ongoing stress, or socioeconomic challenges, can have a profound impact on mental health. Childhood trauma, such as betrayal trauma, abuse, or neglect, can leave deep emotional scars that affect you well into adulthood. Experiencing trauma in childhood can profoundly impact how you see yourself. You might have internalized the belief that the traumas that happened to you as a child were somehow your fault. This can lead to struggling with low self-esteem, shame, and guilt even as an adult when the trauma has long passed.
Additionally, stress from events like losing a loved one, experiencing a major life change, or ongoing socioeconomic hardships, like financial instability or living in a high-crime area, can contribute to depression. When trauma goes unprocessed and unhealed, it can manifest as chronic anxiety, feelings of worthlessness, and other symptoms of depression.
Recognizing the connection between trauma and depression is crucial for effective treatment. As an Orlando trauma therapist, I help clients explore these experiences, understand their impact, address these underlying issues, and work toward healing.
Misconceptions Around Depression
There’s often a stigma surrounding depression that unfairly labels those who experience it as lazy and unmotivated. In reality, depression is a serious mental health condition that can deeply impact a person's ability to function. This stigma can prevent individuals from seeking the help they need, exacerbating their problems and prolonging their suffering.
Depression Treatment
Effective depression treatment requires early intervention. Medication is typically the go-to treatment option when biological factors cause depression, as it balances brain chemistry and relieves symptoms. However, trauma-related depression requires a different strategy. Trauma-focused therapies like EMDR, somatic therapy, and mindfulness can be helpful. These therapies assist people in recovering from trauma and addressing depression's causes.
Depression is a severe condition that can affect every aspect of your life, making it challenging to feel good about yourself, have meaningful relationships, and enjoy life. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking help early can make a significant difference in managing depression and improving your quality of life. At Mindful Living Counseling, we are here to help you find a path to healing, whether you are dealing with the impact of trauma, chronic anxiety, or persistent sadness. Reach out to us today to schedule a session and start your journey towards greater resilience and well-being.
Interested in How Therapy Orlando Helps?
If you found something relatable in this blog, please know that you don't have to face it alone. The therapists are ready to assist you in navigating depression and addressing any other therapy-related concerns you may have. To get started with one of our counselors:
Fill out our New Client Consultation Form
Schedule a consultation call with one of our anxiety therapists.
Begin your healing journey!
Not Ready for Orlando Therapy?
We have a team of specialized therapists who are always ready to help with depression. Our team understands that you may have some questions before making your first phone call, but rest assured that our trained experts will equip you with the most effective tools to navigate depression. If you're interested in learning more about depression, check out the articles provided below.
Additional Orlando Therapy Resources
5 Natural Ways of Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder
Anxiety Therapist Orlando Shares 7 Ways to Support a Loved One Who Is Struggling
Trauma Therapy: Internal Family Systems
Trauma Therapist: Signs of Childhood Trauma in Adults
Types of Counseling: Trauma Counseling
Orlando Therapist: Understanding Therapy Jargon
EMDR Therapy: Healing the Unspoken
5 Signs You’re Healing from Trauma
Other Therapy Services Offered at Mindful Living Counseling in Orlando
We understand that depression can be a significant challenge, and we're here to support you through that journey. We also recognize that you may be facing other obstacles, and we're ready to help with those as well. That's why we offer a wide range of therapy services, including Trauma Anxiety, Anxiety Therapy, EMDR Therapy, and Teen Therapy, as well as Guided Meditations. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.
About Trauma Therapist: Lauran Hahn
Lauran Hahn, LMHC, is an Orlando-based therapist who specializes in helping clients who are struggling with anxiety, trauma and heal from toxic relationships. Lauran is also a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, a Certified EMDR Therapist, and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. It’s Lauran’s goal to help her clients feel calm in their bodies, at peace in their minds, and connected in their relationships.