Winter Blues
Understanding Depression: Online Therapy for Treating Depression
Written by
Stephanie Carpizo
September 9, 2024
Chances are that you or someone you know has struggled with depression. A major episode can last at least two weeks, but stretch on much longer as a loss of interest in daily activities and other complications take hold. In the U.S., depression affects around 17 million adults, the National Library of Medicine recorded, though that count is likely an underestimate because many people don’t seek medical attention. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Online therapy for depression is one of the best ways for those grappling with the disorder to connect with a qualified professional and gain an individualized approach to effectively manage otherwise exhausting symptoms.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression is a “common and serious mental disorder that negatively affects how you feel, think, act, and perceive the world.” A diagnosis likely arises if you report prolonged feelings of sadness, fatigue, difficulty focusing, and diminished self-worth. Depression often involves significant changes to previously established aspects of your life, as activities you once took pleasure in become no longer enjoyable.
Some people experience repeating episodes of depression, while others undergo persistent periods, struggling with it seasonally or after childbirth. If gone untreated, the disorder may result in suicidal ideation — if you’re having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Symptoms and serverity of this disorder ultimately vary, but three general indicators tend to surface in those who need online therapy for depression:
Consider these signs to determine if you might want to pursue an online therapist for depression.
There’s good reason to be sad about many things in life, but it becomes a different matter if you experience depression every day. People wrestling with depression tend to describe enduring bouts of emptiness, in which the drive to pursue new or exciting things has crumbled away.
Crucially, depression in this case is not merely a “rut” or a particularly intense case of the blues that someone can simply break out of on their own. People diagnosed with depression often report getting less from the world around them.
Depression often negatively affects what fundamentally helps regulate a person’s mood. For example, around 40 percent of people diagnosed with insomnia also have clinical depression, a Sleep Medicine Reviews study found. Without the restorative hours of rest needed to feel balanced, fatigue strains the ability to stay concentrated. Likewise, depression’s knack for sapping away happiness means it may unfortunately seem more appealing to stay in bed and just sleep.
What’s more, depression can result in fluctuations to appetite, as past favorite food becomes no longer enjoyable, or you turn to eating as a coping mechanism. The resulting change in one’s body weight may further disrupt their feeling of autonomy.
Without the motivation to do simple things like get out of bed, get in the shower and get dressed, it may feel impossible to muster the energy needed to take on the rest of life’s many complex but rewarding challenges. Depression is a draining disorder precisely because it makes it difficult to feel good about one’s self in light of prolonged periods of not accomplishing tasks.
This becomes particularly challenging when it spurs a self-repeating cycle: withdrawing from the hobbies that previously provided a steady stream of fulfillment may give way to a pattern of self-isolation after it feels too daunting to re-engage.
Beginning the search for online therapy for depression might seem overwhelming at first, given the number of therapists and treatment options available. Inner Clarity can help you identify the characteristics of an online therapist for treating depression who can tailor a treatment program to meet your needs.
As depression is one of the more common mental disorders, a good portion of therapists have experience in treating it. However, some counselors who offer online therapy for depression have more specific qualifications or certifications that distinguish their experience. Furthermore, symptoms of depression can arise or manifest in ways unique to your life. Weigh whether you’d like to prioritize working with an online therapist for depression who relates to your gender identity or culture background in order to feel the most comfortable in discussing sensitive matters.
One method toward treating depression may work better for you than others. Some counselors employ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which addresses the disorder by recognizing and disrupting learned-patterns of negative thinking. Others are trained in Interpersonal Therapy, which provides a more structured process towards addressing your relationships to others by targeting four main areas of stress. Whichever therapy approach you prefer, an online therapist can tailor its steps, its process to fit around your specific goals.
Online therapy for depression is unique in that it’s one of the most accessible forms of health care. By tuning into a secure video call from the privacy of your own residence, you cut out potential barriers that could have otherwise prevented you from joining a session. Say goodbye to time-consuming commutes to distant offices, and hello to flexible scheduling instead. Furthermore, countless American communities suffer from a shortage of mental health providers. Online therapy platforms allow you to access counselors you would otherwise never have available nearby — professionals willing to meet you where and whenever you are.
Depression isn’t something that should be swept under the rug. Its symptoms can be deceptively enervating, or outright debilitating. Protracted feelings of hopelessness, exacerbated by an altered sleep schedule, abnormal appetite and loss of energy all spell out a need for professional mental health support. Inner Clarity offers you an opportunity to match with an online therapist for depression who can provide substantial help through individual, marital or even group-focused models. Request an appointment to learn more about how you can gain a a clear mind for a healthy life.
