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Are you struggling with feelings of sadness, uncertainty, anger or sorrow that you just can’t shake? Do you often engage in negative self-talk or judge yourself harshly? Perhaps you're struggling to connect meaningfully with your loved ones and often prefer to be alone, which is placing a strain on your relationships. Or maybe you’ve lost interest in activities that you once enjoyed. Have you turned to drugs or alcohol as a way to mitigate feelings of sadness or to cope with pain? Do you struggle to get out of the bed in the morning, often wondering what the point of anything is? Do you wish you could find a way through the dark fog that's been consuming you and live with more clarity, confidence, peace, and joy?
Living with depression can be a heavy, frustrating and lonely experience. You may be judging yourself and experiencing guilt, especially if you struggle to understand the origins of your depression. You may desperately want to break free from the ongoing cycle of dissatisfaction, sadness or pain, but feel hopeless to find a way out.
Understanding depression
Depression is a defensive reaction to the usual feelings of uncertainty, anger, hopelessness, sadness and sorrow that all humans experience. When we don’t allow these feelings to rise and release and, instead, feel defeated, suppress feelings or go into denial, depression can emerge. When we bury, resist or defend against difficult emotions, we allow an emotional impasse to form. This impasse drains our aliveness and replaces it with lethargy. We begin criticizing ourselves and viewing the world with pessimism and hopelessness.
If you’re experiencing depression, it is not your fault, and you are not alone. Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in Australia. Some people may be genetically predisposed to depression and struggle with it off and on throughout their lives. Others experience situational depression, which can occur following a trauma, loss or significant life transition.
The good news is that depression is one of the most easily managed mental health issues. With the right approach and the support and guidance of an experienced Counsellor, you can better understand your experience with depression, shift your perspective and begin living with more ease, energy, joy and peace.
Depression treatment can help you find sustainable relief
One of the first things you'll learn in depression treatment is that it's not about what happened – rather, it's what you tell yourself about what happened. As humans, we are attached to the stories we create. When these stories are negative, destructive thoughts, behaviors and patterns become ingrained. These thoughts can cause feelings of bitterness, sadness, hopelessness, anger and lethargy that are part of the depression experience. However, when we learn to accept these feelings, rather than resist them, and shift into more positive thinking, we can create an experience that is more joyful, confident and peaceful.
In depression treatment sessions, you will learn to dissolve past stories which are contributing to your depression. You will begin to delve beneath these storylines, deconstruct the untruths and tap into the vulnerable, authentic feelings that live underneath the stories surface. Once you allow these healthy and natural feelings to emerge and really feel them, it is then possible to develop a new narrative of your life with a sense of aliveness and purpose. There is energy in anger and sadness and uncertainty. And, these feelings are as much a part of life as happiness and contentment. Once you begin to explore your feelings through your new narrative, the old feelings associated with the depression often dissipate and lose their power.
As you break down negative beliefs and feel and release difficult emotions, you can discover a shift in perspective. You can recognize that nothing is permanent, and that change is an inevitable, natural and beautiful part of the ebb and flow of life. You can stop blaming yourself, others and the world so harshly and open up to the uncertainty, fear, and sorrow that have kept you stuck and unhappy. You actually can begin to understand that there is what happens in life, and then there is what you tell yourself about what's going on in your life. Once you understand this concept and apply it to your thinking, you can experience empowerment over your depression and experience lasting relief.
While some people will always struggle with depression, it can be managed. Life can be consistently brighter and more beautiful. Once you accept that your stories are not necessarily true – that they are just thoughts that you chose to believe – a whole new perspective and way of thinking can emerge. With depression treatment, you can learn to reframe negative thoughts, flow through challenging emotions and learn how to manage symptoms in healthy, efficient ways. With help, support and a willingness to let go of stories, it is possible to live a joyful, connected life.
You can live with more energy, enthusiasm, and ease
You don’t have to manage depression on your own. I invite you to contact me to discuss your specific needs and to answer any questions you have about depression treatment and my practice.
Would you like a complimentary consultation?
Are you concerned about the counselling process, or would you like to know more about how counselling can support you in your journey.
Please phone 0413 607 983 or use the form below and I will contact you to make a complimentary initial consultation.