Depression Therapy in Chicago

Depression Treatment

Causes, Symptoms and Treatments for Depression

Depression is a serious illness that affects millions of people every day. For many reasons, such as shame and fear, as well as lack of resources, depression can go untreated.  When depression isn’t properly addressed, it can result in needless and increased suffering for those afflicted and their loved ones. Depression may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and exacerbated by external factors such as stress, loss, and disconnection. Many myths about depression are persistent, but no matter the cause of depression, there are many effective treatments to improve mood and related symptoms. These include medication like anti-depressants and mood stabilizers, psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and lifestyle changes.

Understanding Depression – Where Are We Still Getting It Wrong?

The first step is recognizing the symptoms of depression in yourself or a loved one.

Depression symptoms include low moods for prolonged periods that don’t respond to positive events or change in circumstances.

Other symptoms are:

• difficulty concentrating
• feelings of hopelessness
• frequent thoughts about death or suicide
• insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping too much)
• weight gain/loss without trying
• feeling worthless/unworthy of love/success etc
• loss of interest in activities once enjoyed

What is the cause of depression?

There are several possible causes of depression. An imbalance in neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin might be the cause, suggesting there may well be a genetic link that predisposes some people to develop it while others in similar situations do not. Environmental factors can also be a vulnerability-for example, violence, abuse, or neglect during childhood years could lead to persistent changes in the makeup of the brain that impact mood and emotion regulation. 

Other potential factors include:

• Unresolved trauma
• Side effects of medications
• Substance abuse
• Illness
• Brain chemistry

What is High Functioning Depression?

High-functioning depression, while not an official diagnosis, is a form of depression that is long-lasting and generally not as severe as major depressive disorder (MDD), though no less worthy or needful of treatment. Its persistence can lead to severe burnout or worsening depression symptoms over time.

The term high-functioning depression refers to individuals who are able to accomplish their daily tasks and keep up with their responsibilities. Yet, they struggle with their mental health and are reasonably well able to hide this fact, projecting an image that they are doing well. They often conceal their symptoms in an attempt to keep loved ones or co-workers from worrying or getting involved. The sufferer may also genuinely believe there is nothing truly wrong, or it is all in their head, and they may double down on efforts to hide or deny symptoms.

Unlike MDD, which can be noticeably debilitating, high-functioning depression impacts an individual through persistent low moods, fatigue, and depressive symptoms that the sufferer actively masks, making it challenging, if not impossible, to spot. Individuals with high-functioning depression appear to operate normally in their daily lives, maintaining jobs, relationships, and social activities while privately experiencing a continuous, underlying sense of hopelessness, sadness, or emptiness.

High-Functioning Depression | Understanding the Symptoms

A depression diagnosis can be both frightening and confusing.

Where to start after receiving a depression diagnosis or if you think you may have depression? The treatment that works best for you will depend on your unique physical and psychological needs, personal preference, as well as the severity of depressive symptoms. It is essential to communicate your symptoms openly with a qualified therapist who specializes in depression therapy so that they can help you determine what type of treatment is right for you.  Your therapist should be aware of any previous treatments that have been beneficial and concerns you have regarding medications so they can assist you in creating an individualized treatment plan. 

Effective depression treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

An underlying principle behind CBT is that people can change their lives by first changing their thoughts. This will, in turn, change their behaviors. CBT focuses on identifying negative thoughts and learning how they impact moods. A therapist trained in evidence-based CBT can help you reframe your thoughts, thereby lessoning maladaptive behaviors and alleviating the stress, anxiety, and depression that go alongside them. For example, you may think that “I am in over my head,” which can lead to behaviors of giving up and cause feelings of being less than or not good enough. Changing the thought to “This is challenging, but I can seek the support and education I need to be successful” can lead to the behavior of walking through the challenge instead of giving up. This may lead to feelings of accomplishment and hope.

Having depression can feel like you’ll never escape the dark shadow hovering overhead. However, even severe mental illness is treatable, and people can recover and move on to live fulfilling, connected, and meaningful lives.  CBT is an effective form of talk therapy that teaches people how to identify the thoughts that influence their emotions and behaviors so they can gain mastery and learn to respond (rather than react) to situations more effectively.   

Adult IOP Program for Eating, Mood, & Anxiety Disorders

SpringSource Psychological Center is now accepting referrals for our Adult IOP Program. We designed this IOP Program to provide intensive support for adults who are struggling with depression, eating disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, life transitions, and relationship issues. ⁠Learn more at the link below:

Hybrid IOP Program for Treating Eating, Mood, and Anxiety Disorders of Mid-Life & Beyond⁠

How can depression therapy help?

Therapy is a process of becoming self-aware, understanding oneself at a deeper level, and working through issues. Frequently, we can’t see the ways our depressive thoughts affect us until we find recovery from them. Therapy can help people identify negative beliefs that lead to feelings of hopelessness or anxiety, releasing their power and allowing room for new perspectives.

At SpringSource Psychological Center, we are skilled in CBT, DBT and many other evidence-based therapies. We understand that the path to healing is varied, and we focus on compassionately addressing each individual’s unique needs. We are available for in-person and virtual appointments in our downtown Chicago and Northbrook, IL offices. Call us today at 224-202-6260 to learn more and set up your free initial consultation. We would love to hear from you.