Is Sadness Or Mild Depression Stealing The Joy From Your Life?

Do you feel like you have a good life, but an unexplained sense of sadness and intermittent hopelessness prevent you from being truly happy? Aside from working, eating, sleeping, and shopping, do you find it hard to motivate yourself to do anything else?

Perhaps you ruminate on critical, self-defeating thoughts even though you have obviously done well for yourself. Or maybe a shift in your career, small business, or relationship is causing you grief and uncertainty that you don’t know how to process.

Depression has a way of creeping into the lives of even the most determined and successful individuals.  You could be having trouble sleeping well, getting out of bed, or even focusing and making sound decisions. You may be withdrawing from the ones you care about, or perhaps you’re experiencing a diminished sex drive, creating a distance between you and your partner. And even though you’re not really abusing drugs, maybe you find yourself turning to food, wine, or cannabis for relief that doesn’t seem to last.

At this point, you are likely thinking, “I’m healthy. I have a good life and people who love me. So why can’t I just figure out a way to get over this?” The truth is, we all need help sometimes, even those of us who seem to have it all. Together, we can work to repair your sense of self and heal the wounds that are holding you back so you can finally enjoy your life.

Depression Is Commonplace In Uncertain Times

Everyone, at some point in their lives, will struggle to overcome an emotional challenge: grieving the loss of a loved one, a job, or even a pet. And while that pain is very real and can be debilitating, in most cases, people only need a little professional guidance, support, and ultimately, time to work their way through the pain.

However, some people are unconsciously carried through life by a steady undercurrent of sadness or mild depression without being fully aware of what’s causing it. The more severe and the longer it persists the greater harm it does.

Nowadays, with Covid-19 still lurking, the lives of many are primed for depression. People feel isolated, alone, frightened, and uncertain of the future. Many have lost jobs or loved ones, and tens of thousands of small businesses have had to close their doors. Social and political unrest stoke fear and sadness as relationships and trust fracture.

For some of us, the constant stream of negative news drains our reservoir of hope. And social media acts like a funhouse mirror that corrupts how we measure our achievements and self-worth. Moreover, because of certain social forces, many of us are convinced that we are weak if we can’t overcome problems on our own, so we stigmatize our own pain.

However, if you’re reading this, it means that you have taken the first step in assuming responsibility for your healing, which is the most critical part of the therapeutic process. You are not weak, and you are not alone. With my guidance, you can learn how to recognize your self-worth, overcome depression, and enjoy what you have worked so hard for.

Depression Treatment Allows You To Enjoy The Life You Deserve

Many people who are coping with depression don’t feel like they have a right to be sad, so it can be hard to reach out for fear of judgment. However, therapy provides a space in which you can feel safe revealing who you are, what you think of yourself, and how you perceive the world.

Initially, it can be tough talking about being sad or depressed because it feels like admitting a weakness. But I’ll tell you the same thing I tell everyone, the fact that you are looking at this page demonstrates strength and resilience—and I will stay by your side for as long as you need.

Each individual has a unique need and expectation for depression therapy, so I don’t rely on a specific treatment strategy. However, I do want to understand what drives your depression symptoms—what is at the source of your pain? If a specific crisis, such as getting divorced or losing a loved one, is causing your distress, I can help you process your grief and sadness and find peace.

Depression is often anger that is turned inward. It involves a breakdown of self-esteem and this self-loathing creates an inexhaustible wellspring of negative thoughts and emotions, including a lot of guilt and shame. That anger usually starts in childhood and is originally focused outward onto those we love most. So, we think we’re bad for having those negative thoughts and punish ourselves for that transgression.

Therefore, after filling out some paperwork before our first session, I’ll begin by getting to know a little about your present and past life experiences as well as your hopes or expectations for the future. One of our goals would be to understand your anger and identify the genesis of your pain and suffering.

In our first session, I’ll have you talk about whatever you feel comfortable discussing, occasionally asking clarifying questions or offering some general observations. However, unless you are reacting to a specific crisis, it’s likely that your experience with depression is linked to some emotional wound in the past.

To understand that connection, I’ll use two forms of in-depth talk therapy called psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy for treating depression including new ways to zero in on faulty thinking. All of these tools will help us identify and bring to the surface any unconscious thoughts and emotions fueling your depression symptoms so we can deal with those hidden elements on a conscious level. Part of that involves having a willingness to engage in an honest and collaborative partnership and accept information that may be new or even tough to digest.

Whether you believe it or not, you do have the wherewithal to see things in a different light and take more control over what your life looks like. How can I be sure? As a depression counselor, I’ve spent over 20 years supporting and witnessing clients heal and reclaim their lives. With my help, you can see yourself for who you are, embrace your full range of emotions, and empower yourself to choose the life you want—and enjoy it.

Perhaps you are considering depression treatment but still have some concerns…

What reason is there to think that therapy for depression will help?

When you suffer from depression, you naturally have a hard time motivating yourself or being hopeful about ever feeling better. This ongoing inability to enjoy life typically stems not from what’s real but rather from unconscious associations that distort your perceptions and experiences. In essence, depression is telling you that there is no hope when there really is. If you can just suspend disbelief long enough for a few sessions, I believe you will see that change is indeed possible.

I’ve tried depression treatment before—why didn’t it help?

While I cannot attest to why therapy hasn’t helped in the past, I can say that your decision to try again signifies an inherent strength within you as well as a persistent wish to feel better. I understand that trying again may seem like a waste of time, but there is an unstoppable part of you that knows you can be happy again and drives you to do whatever is required to make that happen. All you need to do is believe in that part of you and give depression counseling another chance.

I’d rather not take medication, but it feels like my brain is just wired wrong sometimes.

I don’t prescribe medication so, in my practice, we focus on overcoming depression naturally. Having said that, some people suffering from depression benefit greatly from the use of depression medication, generally for short-term relief while they’re doing depression therapy. In cases where the client and I agree there’s a need, I can make a referral to colleagues I know well for medication. After learning more about the genesis of their depression through counseling, eventually many clients are able to discontinue the medication in consultation with their prescriber.

Let Me Help You Reclaim Your Sense Of Joy

When you are dealing with depression, it can seem like there’s no way out of the cycle of sadness—but there is help available. Please call (212) 475-3488 or contact me to set up an appointment for a free, 15- to 20-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to address any questions or concerns you have about my approach to depression treatment.

Due to Covid-19, all depression counseling sessions are currently being conducted online or via phone.

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