Introduction
Is depression making your life feel heavy? It can be hard to know when life feels heavy, there is no motivation and even the most basic tasks feel impossible — this can be a sign of depression. In the fast pace of New York City it is easy to feel lost or disconnected, but help is available.
When you’re feeling depressed, therapy can serve as a stepping stone to healing by helping you understand your emotions, manage your symptoms, and create hope again. Depression therapy, along with evidence-based treatments, can take place with qualified therapists across NYC.
You can begin working towards your progress toward a better and more balanced life today!
Why is Depression So Common in New York City?
Urban cultures, for instance New York City, heighten the pressures that lead to depression. The fast pace, expense, congested living conditions, and extensive commutes can take a toll emotionally.
- While living in a city offers an abundance of possibility, it can leave you feeling socially isolated—it’s easy to feel completely alone when millions surround you.
- People seem driven to be ambitious, to be successful, and remain productive leaving little time for relaxation or emotional processing.
- Mix in the social comparison trap from social media and feelings of inadequacy can deepen.
- Research supports the evidence that people living in urban landscapes are at a higher risk for anxiety and mood disorders.
- In NYC depression can deception in people or within the busy existence of a person—-even when presented by isolated depressive symptoms—it does not mean it is not there.
Epidemiology of Depression
About 7% of people experience major depressive disorder (MDD) or a major depressive episode in a 12-month period, and this number varies dramatically by age group. People between the ages of 18 and 29 report having depression at rates close to three times the rates of people aged 60 and older.
Women will report depression 1.5 to 3 times as much as men beginning in early adolescence. In the USA around 17 million adults experience depression, however, the true number is likely much higher and remains underreported because many do not seek medical help or get a diagnosis.
What Are the Signs You Might be Struggling with Depression?
Depression is often thought to be just feeling “down” or “stressed,” but it is much more complicated than this and often affects several dimensions of life.
- If you notice persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness that do not go away, this could be a warning sign.
- Most often people experience lost interest in hobbies or activities that were previously enjoyable.
- Changes in sleep may occur, such as sleeping too much or too little (insomnia), and feelings of constant fatigue and tiredness may be present even when there has not been physically exertive activities.
- Many people experience feelings of worthlessness or guilt that are overwhelming, changes in appetite/weight, and have difficulty focusing on the task at hand.
- In more severe instances, thoughts about death and/or suicide can develop. It’s important to recognize these signs early and reach out for help.
How Can Depression Therapy Help You to Feel Better?
Depression therapy is not about “fixing” people, but rather exploring their experience in the world and helping them heal.
- Therapy provides a safe, non-judgemental space in which a person can understand their feelings and explore difficult emotions, as well as to explore deeper rooted causes of their depression.
- Therapy helps people to understand emotional awareness through recognizing their negative thought patterns and triggers.
- The therapist is able to share coping skills that help the client to apply evidence based ways to manage their depression.
- You will learn how to replace harmful beliefs as well as foster a more kind, compassionate relationship with yourself.
- Therapy can even assist with making necessary life, such as setting healthy boundaries, and improving relationships with others.
- It is through ongoing support during therapy that a person can re-engage their sense of purpose, joy, and deeper connections with their life.
What Types of Depression Therapy Available in NYC?
Therapists in New York City can provide countless evidence-based methods for treating depression, and each method can be flexible and customized depending on the client’s needs.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most popular type of psychotherapy, and it focuses on learning to recognize and change negative patterns of thought and behaviour.
- Psychodynamic Therapy also emphasizes understanding feelings, but it relies primarily on the clients past learning experiences and the reason for their current feelings.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) focuses on improving communication and relationships which may be helpful in decreasing depressive symptoms.
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, but DBT is exceptionally valuable in treating overwhelming emotions and reducing self-destructive behaviours that accompany depression.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) can be effective for people who are prone to recurrent bouts of depression. MBCT includes processes for practicing awareness to remind clients that sensations and feelings exist temporarily, and emotions and thoughts always can shift positively.
- Lastly, many therapists use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) which allows clients to process trauma that has resulted in depression by guided eye movement.
Many therapists in New York City approach therapy with an integrative style that may use a combination of therapies depending on the objective and needs of the client.
What If I’m Not Ready for Therapy Yet?
It’s completely fine if you aren’t ready for therapy yet. Healing doesn’t have to happen all at once—it can even start with simply being aware of how you are feeling.
- Therapy is one of the best ways to treat depression, but there are other things you can do to care for your mental health until you are ready for therapy.
- Find someone you trust – this could be a friend, or someone like a mentor, and talk to them. You can try journaling, to help process your feelings.
- Mindfulness, meditation, and keeping active like taking a walk; even taking a short walk once a day can improve your mood.
- Reduce alcohol and screen time to help bring back a sense of balance.
- You could also join a support group for depression or read educational books or listen to podcasts on mental health. Each step matters.
What If I’m Having Suicidal Thoughts?
If you are having suicidal thoughts, help is immediate and you don’t need to go through this alone.
- In New York City, you can call or text 988 to talk to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- You can also call NYC Well, available 24/7, at 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) for free, confidential support.
- If you are in imminent danger, please go to the nearest emergency room, or call 911.
You are not a burden. You are not weak. There is hope, and people will be compassionate to you in this moment and help you find the light again.
Final Thought
Even though depression can feel lonely and isolating, recovery is possible with the proper support. Whether you’re ready to start therapy, or have just begun to think about your mental health, the first step counts.
- Through depression therapy in NYC, you will receive compassionate and evidence-based treatment to best support your intentions and challenges in life.
- Therapy can help you on the path to recovery, and sometimes, all that is needed is better understand your emotions and the important role they play in your mental health.
- You may also gain new practical coping skills to help restore balance, peace, and connection in your life.
Wherever you are in your journey, know that therapy is available. You can have brighter days ahead! You do not have to do this alone.
Reference
- Chand, S. P., & Arif, H. (2023, July 17). Depression. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430847/
- National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Depression. https://medlineplus.gov/depression.html
- Gautam, M., Tripathi, A., Deshmukh, D., & Gaur, M. (2020). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 62(Suppl 2), S223. https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19
- Brakemeier, E., & Frase, L. (2012). Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) in major depressive disorder. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 262(S2), 117–121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-012-0357-0
- Peprah, K., & Argáez, C. (2017, October 20). Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adults with Mental Illness: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Guidelines. NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525629/
- MacKenzie, M. B., & Kocovski, N. L. (2016). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: Trends and developments. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 9, 125. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S63949
- Wood, E., Ricketts, T., & Parry, G. (2017). EMDR as a treatment for long‐term depression: A feasibility study. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 91(1), 63. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12145
