“It feels like I am walking through a thick fog, I can’t see where I’m going or how to get there, and I feel so trapped and alone. Everything feels heavy, dark, and meaningless. How will I make it through?”
Why do I feel so broken and hopeless?
You aren’t sure how you got here. You vaguely remember a time in your life when you found purpose, and even joy, in your career, interests, and relationships. Now, it takes so much effort to even get out of bed and pull yourself together enough to make it through another day. Some days you’re not even sure you will be able to accomplish that.
You feel like an empty shell, where once there was fullness and life, there is now a hollow void that somehow also feels like the heaviest of weights.You feel so confused by the huge gap in feelings you experience, one moment you feel empty and void of feeling, like a desert wasteland. The next, you feel flooded by emotion and sadness, as if a dam has burst, engulfing you in despair. You’re just so tired of treading water, looking for a safe place to lay your burdens down.
It’s lonely here. You wonder sometimes if anyone sees your struggles. You are so trapped inside your own head, overwhelmed by your responsibilities and fraught with guilt over the ways you believe you are letting your loved ones down. The things you carry are so heavy, but you fear if you set them down you won’t be able to lift them again. Your mind points out all the things you’re doing wrong, it tells you everyone's better off if you stay away, and so you isolate yourself from others.
There is hope ahead. Keep going. We see you.
Everything feels so heavy because you care so deeply. You give and give of yourself, asking little in return. You push yourself to show up for others and keep going because you are so strong, stronger than you even realize. You are fighting for yourself, and for those who love you, because you are brave and because somewhere inside, you know things can be different. You can reclaim your life and your joy.
Maybe you’ve forgotten what that feels like. Let us remind you.
You have reconnected to the parts of you you feared were long forgotten. You see the people, places, and things you love in a light and with a vibrancy you thought would always stay dimmed. Happiness is no longer a struggle as you are able to step outside yourself and enjoy the little moments in life that bring you peace. You have learned to quiet the thoughts in your mind that would tell you you’re not enough, and replaced them with self-affirmations emphasizing the qualities and values that make you wonderfully and uniquely you.
Your relationships are thriving. You no longer avoid interactions with others out of fear of things going wrong, or not being able to manage your emotions. At work, you are able to remain focused and purposeful, without dreading the eventual burnout you once encountered. You have developed skills to help you cope with uncertainty and difficult emotions, and you have learned to care for yourself and set healthy boundaries that preserve your peace and energy. You know it was not a miracle fix, and you have gained so much confidence through your involvement in your own growth work and healing therapy journey. You have the power to change your thoughts, and with them your life.
Tap into your own strength and resiliency as you learn and develop skills to help you combat self-doubt, hopelessness, and fear.
We can help you start right where you are, and together we can get to a place of hope and healing. We can hold space for your broken pieces, and help you find a way to put them back together. We know the future is bright for you, you just need a support to walk with you and guide you through the darkness. Please reach out to us for a free consultation today, together we can make a plan to get you to where you want to be.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, "Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person's ability to function at work and at home."
Additionally, you may experience feelings of hopelessness and a loss of interest in activities. Other symptoms may include changes in appetite and sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of guilt or worthlessness. While the exact cause of depression is not known, it is believed to be influenced by a combination of biological, genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. A depression therapist can give you the support and tools you need to reclaim your life.
Symptoms of depression vary by individual. Some people experience a lack of energy and motivation, as well as loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed. Others feel irritable, on edge, and restless. Depression manifests itself in changes in behavior and mood, physical symptoms, and decreased level of functioning. Some common symptoms of depression include:
Anyone can experience depression. In fact, it is one of the most common mood disorders reported. The reasons someone develops depression are as varied as the symptoms themselves. Depression may be set into motion by a single traumatic event, or it may develop due to a number of co-occurring risk factors.
Environmental Factors: Trauma or Change
Sometimes a traumatic or stressful event or series of events causes a person to become depressed. The loss of a job, relationship, or loved one can trigger feelings of loneliness, sadness, and anxiety. Even positive life changes can cause depression! Our brains find comfort through predictability and habit. When we experience change, such as moving, leaving for college, starting a new career, getting married, or having a child, our brain can become overwhelmed with fear and anxiety because of the uncertainty change brings.
Biological Factors: Underlying Health Conditions, Brain Chemistry
Biological conditions such as brain chemistry, chemical imbalance, and other health issues can factor into the development of depression. While the role of brain chemistry in depression continues to be studied, there is some evidence that an imbalance in the chemicals that carry messages from one brain cell to another may lead to depressive symptoms. Similarly, health conditions such as hypothyroidism or autoimmune diseases may lead to depression, as well as certain medications.
Genetics
Finally, there may be a genetic component connected to depressive disorders. While having a parent or close family member with depression does not guarantee you will also experience depression, it may increase your chances of developing it.
Our depression therapists will work with you to assess the underlying factors contributing to your symptoms. Additionally, this information will inform the therapy modalities and treatment plan we adopt to treat your depression and help you feel joy again.
Depression treatment involves teaching skills for handling emotional distress. Therapy helps release the grasp depressive symptoms have on your body and mind allowing you to experience joy.
At Therapy for Families, we understand every individual is unique and requires a personalized approach to treatment.
Our experienced therapists take the time to get to know you, your experiences, and your goals for therapy. We use this knowledge to create a unique treatment plan tailored to your challenges and symptoms.
Whether you prefer talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or a combination of different therapy approaches, our depression therapist will work closely with you to create an effective and meaningful plan. Therapy should be a collaborative process, and we are committed to providing you with the support and guidance you need to achieve lasting change and emotional well-being. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward overcoming depression.
Our compassionate therapists will support you on your journey to self-love and healing. At Therapy for Families, the therapeutic process involves developing strengths and building coping skills to manage depression symptoms. Our licensed depression therapist utilizes multiple therapy modalities based on your personality and the issues you are facing. These modalities are both evidence-based and scientifically proven to treat depression, anxiety, trauma, and related conditions.
At Therapy for Families, we desire to help each individual feel comfortable and hopeful about their therapy process. Please contact us with questions or concerns. We offer a free consultation to assess how therapy can benefit you and help you feel peace and happiness again. We provide therapy services in Houston, the Woodlands, League City, and Midland.