Depression Can Impact Anyone at Any Time
When the news of Anthony Bourdain’s death broke, I was heartbroken. I used to cook. I knew that the famous Chef David Chang battled depression.
What this taught me was that it is true; many of us don’t see it coming. And that is because depression isn’t one thing. Of course, it includes feeling sad, down, slower than normal, easily angered or irritable, a lack of motivation to do things you enjoy, a lack of ability to concentrate, etc. Most often these feelings last for a set period of time and then lift.
There is also Persistent Depressive Disorder. This is a form of depression that lingers. It is more of a gray cloud than a black cloud. It can feel like moving through the water instead of mud. It is also referred to as Dysthymia or Dysthymic Disorder.
Depression can make you feel like you have ADHD. It does this mainly by loss of motivation and focus. In fact, it occurs a lot in people who have ADHD. But depression is its own animal.
Symptoms of Depression
“I’m depressed” is a way many people describe being disappointed, down, or tired. But it is much more than that. We use the term so freely that it is easy to forget the serious details.
You are probably familiar with stereotypical depression. Sad. Down. Black clouds. Thoughts of hurting yourself. Anger. And it is serious.
You may be less familiar with lesser symptoms of depression that still warrant help. Less motivation. A hard time concentrating. Drinking more. Sleeping more. Sleeping poorly.
Therapy for Depression Can Help
Oftentimes people experiencing depression and depressive symptoms often don’t want to talk until they have to talk. Counseling for depression can be slow and methodical so that you can adjust as you go. It can also be direct and reflect a sense of urgency.
We have treated thousands of adults with depression. One reason is that people with ADHD typically have depressive symptoms. We help them with ADHD and depression. It is a two-for-one.
The DCNE Approach to Therapy for Depression
The key to managing your depression is becoming aware of your patterns, accepting them for what they are, and then expecting them to play out under stress. Therapy for Depression at DCNE can help you find these patterns and overcome them by working with our skilled team of therapists.
Awareness allows you to know what’s going on and not get taken for an internal ride. Accepting stops judgment because judgment stops processing. You are probably too smart for your own emotions. Judging yourself doesn’t help. Expecting the patterns to play out is only realistic. Mapping out and feeling out a new way of responding makes all the difference. It allows you to create a new expectation for how you will feel or respond.
Neurofeedback for Depression
DCNE also uses cutting-edge neurofeedback to treat depression. Try neurofeedback if you’re sick of talking about your feelings. Another great reason to try it is if talk therapy isn’t working.
Neurofeedback trains your brain wave activity. It is easy and you don’t have to learn any new skills. Your brain will learn through the training. Also, you will be able to “see” your depression in your brain. After the training, you will be able to “see” how it has changed.
Begin Therapy for Depression in Washington, DC
The first step to working with DCNE is to book your free consultations. We offer consultations for anyone interested in our services or who wants to know more.
Book your consultation on our website, by texting us at 202-998-ADHD (2343), or by emailing [email protected] We offer free consultations because navigating the mental health world is hard. We are your resource to make it easier, even if you don’t work with us.
Other Services at DCNE
Therapy for depression is only one of the services we offer. We also provide counseling for ADHD, anxiety, and PTSD as well as EMDR Therapy. We also offer mental health assessments and ADHD diagnostic evaluations if you need a diagnosis or aren’t ready to start counseling. Neurofeedback is also a great option if you don’t want to try medications.