It’s completely normal to feel sad, lonely, or anxious at times. These feelings can occur in response to trauma, or they can happen for no reason at all. In most cases, taking action isn’t necessary.

If you’ve been living with depression, though, it could be time to seek help. Approximately one in five adults have depression, and depression treatment is essential for recovery. Knowing how to ask for help with depression isn’t always easy, though.

This is especially true for people focused on their professional lives. We’ve put together a brief guide that has key information about this condition and how you can get started with depression therapy. Let’s explore what you should know.

Types of Depression

Many people are unaware that there are multiple types of depression. Understanding which type you suffer from plays a large role in recovery. Listed below are some of the most notable.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

As the name implies, this type of depression lasts for extended periods. More specifically, for at least two years or longer. You might experience conventional signs of depression like low self-esteem and feeling hopeless.

People also can have trouble concentrating, sleeping issues, or irregular appetites. Depending on the cause, persistent depressive disorder may need treatment through psychotherapy or medication. In some cases, a combination of both is necessary.

Major Depression

Most people have heard the term “major depressive disorder.” This refers to scenarios where people feel depressed most of the time. It’s characterized by unique symptoms, such as a loss of interest in activities you once found pleasurable.

For example, a lifelong football fanatic may no longer care about their favorite team’s performance. People with major depression tend to have constant feelings of guilt or worthlessness. They might believe they deserve to feel the way they do and that there’s no point in trying to fix it.

Major depression can also lead to substantial weight loss or gain. This is correlated with undereating or overeating. With major depression, there are three primary symptoms that doctors look for:

• Melancholy
• Anxious distress
• Agitation

A feeling of melancholy is intense sadness. No matter what you do, you might feel overwhelming sorrow for no reason at all. Some people experience suicidal thoughts when they feel melancholic.

Anxious distress makes people constantly worry something awful is going to happen. This anxiety could derail their ability to focus, affecting their performance at school or work. People with anxious distress also fear they might lose control of themselves.

Constant agitation creates scenarios where people act impulsively or can’t sit still. They might also talk a lot even when they have nothing important to say.

Psychotic Depression

Sometimes, depression is accompanied by psychotic symptoms. When people go through intense episodes of depression, they can experience delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations. These factors can easily make this situation more difficult to deal with.

Someone with psychotic depression can act dangerously or erratically when they have an episode. For this reason, it’s imperative to seek treatment as soon as possible. Medical practitioners will often use a combination of antipsychotic drugs and antidepressants.

Atypical Depression

People can develop a type of depression that’s different from others. Although still a form of depression, atypical depression manifests in alternative ways.

Someone might have an increased appetite or sleep much more than usual. They may be oversensitive to criticism, regardless of the statement.

In some cases, people can feel heaviness in their legs and arms. This atypical depression can easily interfere with someone’s quality of life.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

Unfortunately, not all types of depression can be overcome easily. Certain forms are resistant to treatment.

People tend to discover they have this type if they’ve tried multiple methods without success. For example, a doctor might prescribe certain medications.

You may also have to speak with a therapist about your condition. If neither of these work, you’ll need to find alternative solutions.

Benefits of Depression Therapy

The benefits of depression therapy can’t be overlooked. These can help you get your life together and enjoy the things around you. Let’s examine the primary benefits to consider.

Better Sleep

One of the most immediate benefits of depression therapy is better sleep. When someone’s depressed, they tend to sleep far more or far less than they need to.

This can create schedule conflicts and pull someone out of their weekly routine. Both undersleeping and oversleeping can lead to fatigue and exhaustion. Confronting the root cause of your depression can ease your mind and help you sleep an appropriate amount.

Better Academic and Professional Performance

Therapy can help motivate you to achieve stellar academic and professional performance. People with depression aren’t likely to care much about how well they do at school or work. They might not even care if they get fired from a job or fail courses.

Depression can suppress one’s cognitive abilities, making it difficult to concentrate. It can also impair one’s ability to stay motivated. Combined, both of these make it exceedingly difficult to strive toward long-term goals.

Working with a reputable therapist can help you eliminate these thoughts and stay focused on your long-term goals.

As you begin to perform better, you’ll feel invigorated and happier overall. In some cases, the rewards you experience could pull you out of your depression.

To clarify, let’s assume you got a promotion at your job after placing more focus on your role. This promotion could come with enough compensation to pay off debt, move to a nicer location, and improve your quality of life overall.

Stronger Relationships

The stronger your relationships, the better your support system. Having powerful familial relationships and friendships goes a long way. They can be a powerful resource during times of need.

The same can be said about having a reliable romantic partner to lean on. To keep these relationships healthy, you’ll need to maintain them.

This can be difficult if you feel depressed, as you might not have the mental energy to make an effort. Overcoming your depression will ensure that you’re always there for the people who are there for you.

More Control

A lack of control is a common feeling people experience during depressive episodes. Feeling out of control could lead someone to lose motivation in their lives.

If they don’t feel in charge of their situation, they might not even want to try. The good news is this can be dealt with by having the right mindset. The

Asking For Help

It might seem difficult at first. It may even seem impossible. Asking for help is a simpler process than people anticipate, though.

The first step to take is accepting your issue. Be at peace with the fact that you need assistance.

Some people want to overcome all their problems on their own. They might feel frustrated when they encounter an issue they can’t manage. These people also tend to equate asking for help as a sign of weakness.

In reality, it’s simply using the resources around you to resolve an issue in your life. Keep this in mind when moving forward.

It’s essential to remember that you should ask for help as soon as you realize you have an issue. It can be difficult to put your pride aside, but it’s a necessary sacrifice to make.

Getting Started

When searching for a therapist, it’s crucial to look at their reputation. The level of experience they have plays a large role in the results you’ll get. See what other people have to say online about the therapist.

Were they happy with their outcome? Did the therapist remain professional throughout the process?

These details will provide insight into the best decision. Find someone who focuses on people with depression.

They should have dealt with countless patients like you in the past. This ensures they understand the nuances of your situation.

For instance, let’s assume you have atypical depression. You visit a therapist who rarely interacts with people who have this condition.

They might not recognize its key symptoms. This could lead to a misdiagnosis and lower-quality treatment.

Only work with someone you feel comfortable speaking with. To get the best results, you’ll need to connect with your therapist.

You should have no trouble trusting and opening up to them. Keep in mind it may take a few conversations before you recognize their potential.

To get the best outcome, find someone interested in helping you resolve your problems. If they aren’t enthusiastic about your situation, they won’t try as hard as they should.

This could cause you to fall short of your goals. With enough due diligence, you’ll find someone who can handle your needs.

Understand How to Ask For Help With Depression

The sooner you seek assistance, the sooner you’ll get your life back on track. Knowing how to ask for help with depression is crucial for overcoming this condition. The tips in this guide can help ensure you take action before things get out of hand.

Therapie helps busy professionals overcome their mental health issues as fast as possible. We have powerful tools and resources patients can use to take steps toward change. Reach out to us today to learn more about what we can do.