Depression Therapy

Feeling sad, empty tired, guilty or hopeless. Nothing makes you happy?
Are you becoming isolated or lonely but can’t reach out to people?
Does life seem like more trouble than it’s worth?

We all have the blues sometimes. But if you have clinical depression, it’s more than just a down mood or sad feeling. Major depression is not an emotion. It is a major medical disorder that affects nearly 5-10% of adults in a given year. Over a lifetime you have a 20%, or one in five, chance of having an episode of depression. Women are twice as likely to get depression as men.

With depression, you may feel sad and hopeless, but you may not know why. Unlike sadness or the blues, depression is actually a biochemical disorder that affects just about every area of your life.

You may even have had self-destructive or suicidal thoughts. If this is the case, it is crucial that you seek help.

You might also find yourself having physical symptoms from depression such as:

Joint pain
Limb pain
Back pain
Gastrointestinal problems
Lowered immune response
Feeling heavy or slowed down

Often, these mysterious physical symptoms can be the first signs of depression.

But mostly, with depression, you just don’t feel like yourself. You may feel like you’re covered with a wet blanket, or that you’re removed from reality, that nothing seems real, or that you don’t even seem real. Normal pleasure and joy become elusive.

Make no mistake. Depression is a serious disorder and you deserve help to overcome it!

The good news is that Major Depression is very treatable! With the right therapy, and the right therapist, you can overcome depression and live the life you were meant to live!

Often the person who is depressed is the last one to know. If people are telling you that you seem down or blue or depressed, it’s a good idea to be evaluated.

One type of depression, Dysthymic Disorder, or Dysthymia, can be a little tricky to recognize because it is a long-term, low-grade depression that people often learn to live with, albeit at a less happy, less functional level. When is the last time you remember feeling really happy? If you can’t remember, you may well have Dysthymia.

Bipolar Disorder is s form of depression that is marked by alternating periods of elation and depression. Some types of Bipolar Disorder are marked by increased irritability rather than elation. It is a disorder that is often treated with medications. However, that is not the only treatment that is in order. At Counseling Services of Portland, our counselors are expert in helping you determine whether your depression could be bipolar disorder.

Kids and teens also get depressed. About 5% of children may have depression at any given time. For kids, depression often goes hand in hand with learning or attention problems. Kids with depression often act out with anger, irritation, or by being oppositional, or they may withdraw from family and peers. They may want to run away, they may engage in self-harming behaviors such as cutting or drug use, and they may reject otherwise fun activities. They may start dressing in a way that is provocative. If you see any of these things, it’s a good idea to have your child checked out by a professional. At Counseling Services of Portland, our child and adolescent counselors have expertise in evaluating whether your child has depression, and will help determine whether your child needs treatment.

Treatment for Depression

At Counseling Services of Portland, our counselors are skilled in diagnosing and treating all types of depression. You will learn to identify the “stinking thinking” that keeps you depressed and you will learn skills to manage and eliminate your depression. You will learn to care for and be loving toward yourself. Your therapist will support your efforts to feel better, and will help you process and resolve issues that keep you stuck. And, most importantly, you will gain confidence in your ability to manage your moods. Sometimes medication is can be helpful, and your therapist will help you determine whether a medication evaluation is in order.

The sooner you address your depression, the sooner you can resolve it.

Why wait to feel better.

To book an appointment

Call us at 503-342-2510 or “Text us” at 503-342-2510 or email us