Seeing Into Depression
Individual Counseling Orlando
In this two part series, I educate those curious about individual counseling Orlando and new to getting mental health help, on how to better care for and support those suffering from mental illness. In this article I will be focusing on anxiety disorders and those who suffer from them. Consider this a mock Depression for Dummies, Mental Health Counselor version.
What Is The Difference Between Anxiety and Depression?
Similar to anxiety, depression is both a feeling and a clinical disorder. Feeling depressed is different than being depressed. Both anxiety and depression are intertwined in their side effects and mimic each other. It is common for someone with depression to also have anxious thinking patterns, and vice versa for someone with anxiety to experience depressive episodes. For those that experience both it comes down to deciphering the core issue, determining if one causes the other, and which weighs heavier on your well-being.
How To Help Depressed People?
In order for someone to adequately help their loved one suffering from depression there are various steps that can be taken:
- Educate yourself on the differences between anxiety and depression, as well as becoming familiar with various kinds of depression.
- Identify a baseline with your loved one who is experiencing the depression to help determine whether their symptoms are worsening or improving.
- Encourage forms of treatment, whether that be therapy or talking to their doctor.
- Asking them if they have any specific triggers, as depression presents itself in different ways based on different triggers.
- Be aware of suicidal thoughts or ideations, and understand that there is a difference between someone wanting to end their life and someone wanting their suffering to end.
- Create low-stress environments for those battling depression as best you can.
- Help the person by providing events and things to look forward to.
- Create dialogue that elicits positive thinking.
- Just listen, allow the person to vent, to talk in circles if need be. This is an act of de-stressing and better understanding how they feel.
- Remind them the feelings are temporary but also valid. Encourage them to express their feelings.
- Actively work on separating the person from their depression. Remind yourself that they are not the depression, they just deal with it.
- Elicit hope and love unconditionally.
And finally ensure that you are well equipped and prepared to help someone else by taking care of yourself first.
Recognizing What Depression Looks Like
Depression looks like tears.
Depression looks like over working.
Depression looks like napping.
Depression looks like isolating.
Depression looks like cancelling plans.
Depression looks like laughter.
Some of the most influential people, the most positive people, the "happiest" people have suffered from depression in their lives. Remember that everyone has their demons and perhaps they aren't ready to share them. Be patient and kind when it comes to their trauma. Like anxiety, those that suffer from depression are all unique in their symptoms, thought patterns, triggers and trauma. No one chooses to battle depression, but everyone who does deserves understanding and support.
Get Help for Depression
If you are someone you know suffers from clinical depression, whether you are needing help coping or needing help understanding how to help someone else, schedule a consultation or individual counseling Orlando with a counselor at Orlando Thrive Therapy today. To speak specifically with the author of this article contact Mallory Hawkes, MS, RMHCI at mallory.orlandothrivetherapy@gmail.com. Thrive on!
