4 Signs to Start Therapy for Depression

If you are currently experiencing thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or 988 or text the Crisis Line at 741741. You can also go to your nearest emergency room. In Ventura County, you can contact the Ventura County Behavioral Health for: crises, substance use treatment, and a foster youth hotline by visiting their website linked here.

 

This blog shares signs to start therapy for depression. If you are struggling with depression, please know you are not alone. It may have taken significant energy to search about therapy or treatment for depression, and I’m glad you made it here.

 

Depression is not a one-size-fits-all disorder. You may experience depression completely differently than someone else. There are various symptoms of depression including sadness, irritability, a lack of concentration or motivation, and more.

 

Some people may be able to hide their true feelings or symptoms, and keep it all inside. Others may be openly struggling, and are unsure of how to cope. However your depression may present, you are deserving of competent and effective care.

 

4 signs to start therapy for depression include: (1) Experiencing suicidal thoughts. (2) Experiencing a lack of energy or motivation. (3) Feeling isolated or unsupported. (4) Feeling hopeless about yourself or your life. 

 

Consider calling us today to discuss how you can get started in therapy for depression, today.

 

4 Signs to Start Therapy for Depression: Experiencing suicidal thoughts 

There are two kinds of suicidal thoughts you may experience. Depending on the kind you experience may determine what route of care is best for your current needs. Connect with a mental health professional and you will connect with the proper resources and support.

 

Passive suicidal thoughts may look like thinking or saying “I wish I wouldn’t wake up tomorrow” or “I want to disappear”. You may experience thinking about dying, but feel you have no intentions to follow through, and are not considering a plan of how to do so. You just know that you no longer want to exist. 

 

Active suicidal thoughts may look like thinking or saying “I could easily die by doing ____” or “It’s time for me to go”. You may consider different ways to complete suicide. There may be levels of preparation, such as writing a suicide letter, giving your items away, or having final conversations with people in your life.

 

Struggling with thoughts of suicide is nothing to feel ashamed of. It does not mean you’re a failure, you’re weak, or you have no other options. Reaching out to talk about suicidal thoughts shows bravery, strength, and helps you connect with the right support.

 

Therefore, If you’re a parent or family member with a teen struggling with suicidal thoughts, read our blog on Crucial Steps to Prevent Teen Suicide. We offer teen therapy in-person at our office in Simi Valley.

 

4 Signs to Start Therapy for Depression: Experiencing a lack of energy or motivation

You notice feeling that you have barely any energy anymore. Completing tasks lately has been time-consuming, and are difficult to even think about. Therefore you feel overwhelmed thinking about starting them, and feel a lack of motivation around it.

 

Individuals with depression may struggle to complete tasks deemed as routine or standard by others who do not struggle. This can include practicing hygiene, taking the trash out, cleaning the dishes, exercising, making a meal, and more.

 

Although you want to improve in these areas or get tasks done, you feel that you physically cannot. You are held back by complex or various feelings. This could include guilt, shame, or hopelessness.

 

Depression therapy in Simi Valley provides you with more than a space to feel understood or heard. We provide you with effective coping strategies tailored to your needs or situation, and guide you at your pace. Make sure to read our blog on 5 Ways to Cope with Depression.

 

4 Signs to Start Therapy for Depression: Feeling isolated or unsupported 

You may struggle with your symptoms and lack a strong support system. This could be due to not being comfortable being open or vulnerable with others in your life. Maybe you experience teasing, or having others shaming you, for having these difficult feelings.

 

You may experience invalidation from people in your life, such as your family, friends, or coworkers. When you open up, you may be told to focus on what you can be grateful for, or being told you’re being dramatic. Unfortunately, your issues may be compared to someone else’s, which leaves you feeling unsafe to share with others. 

 

On the other hand, people in your life may not know what you are really going through. Therefore, they may not be aware of the despair, sadness, or grief you experience regularly. You seek to keep it a secret to not let anyone know of your struggle, and battle with feeling like you can handle it on your own. 

 

Our therapists in Simi Valley provide compassionate and effective care in therapy for depression. Make sure to read our blog on Men’s Mental Health is Important!

 

4 Signs to Start Therapy for Depression: Feeling hopeless about yourself or your life

You may feel hopeless about yourself or your life. This could be from feeling that nothing will ever change for you, such as your mindset, perspective on life, or current situation. You may feel stuck and that you are unable to get yourself where you want to be. 

 

In other words, you have given up on yourself. There is no hope for a future filled with what you want for yourself. This could look like loving yourself, being content with your career or education, having fulfilling relationships, and more.

 

You use others as examples for what you wish you had. Maybe you struggle with comparing your achievements or status to others, and get down on yourself for that. You blame yourself, shame yourself, or don’t believe in yourself. 

It is a really difficult thing to feel that you have given up on yourself. You don’t have to struggle with this alone any longer.

 

In-person therapy in Simi Valley is ideal for those seeking a separate, safe space from their home. Check out our blog on Online Therapy or In Office Therapy to understand what format is best for you. Another great blog to read is ours on if you need Therapy or Medication to address your issues, as well as information on Therapy: Where to Start.

 

By seeking out support, you can begin your journey to feeling relief. You don’t have to go through finding the right level of support alone, either. 

 

Consider calling our therapy group at (805) 774-1506 for a free consultation on how you or a loved one can get started today!

 

Seek out a validating, safe environment with us today. We will help you get to where you want to be. Our therapists provide trauma therapy, teen therapy, individual adult therapy, LGBTQIA+ therapy, anxiety therapy, depression therapy, family therapy, and more in-office in Simi Valley, CA.