Make an Appointment: intake@peoplepsych.com | 312-252-5252

Therapy for Depression

Depression is a mood disorder.  It is not something that you can just snap out of.  You notice that more often not you move through your life in a fog and experience a general lack interest or optimism.  Depression affects how you feel, think and behave – and might contribute to other problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.  It is not something you can just wish away – therapy for depression is an important intervention. You can feel better.

Get Help

PeoplePsych therapists are accepting new clients.  Reach out today at 312-252-5252, or make an appointment for an Intake Consultation.

Make an Appointment

Get Help

Emily Gumm MSW - Illinois Therapist

PeoplePsych therapists are accepting new clients.  Reach out today at 312-252-5252, or make an appointment for an Intake Consultation.

Make an Appointment

Am I depressed?

I’m not always sad really, I’m just numb and disinterested.

Does that sound like you? If so, you likely are one of the millions of adults living with depression.

Being depressed isn’t the same as feeling sad.  At times we all feel sad from time to time.  This isn’t depression.  Instead, depression is more of a persistent fog that engulfs you and dulls your experience of living. It is insidious.  It rolls in slowly – hijacking your life quietly without giving you a chance to notice, much less avert its progression.

Depression blocks out your ability to feel joy or excitement.   You can’t remember the last time you were enthusiastic about anything.

It’s not that you don’t care, it’s just that those feelings don’t seem to be accessible to you.

There is hope.

There is hope.  You are not alone, and you are not broken.

Depression is treatable – you do not have to settle for a life lived in the fog of depression.  We create a safe space for you to explore and process the roots of your depression.  We help you draw on your strengths and work through the thoughts that cause you distress.  We’ll assist you clear the haze and live your life with a renewed clarity and purpose.

You can live the life you want.

Lift the fog.

You can live the life you want.  Lift the dulling fog and experience your life and relationships with an enthusiasm and clarity that has eluded you for too long.

If you are ready, we want to help.  Our Clinical Coordinator will help connect you with the best therapist for you.  Contact us at 312-252-5252 or via email intake@peoplepsych.com us today.

What is Depression

Depression cannot be wished away.  And no one’s depression is exactly like someone else’s.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) there are many depressive disorders and a wide range of symptoms.  The specific diagnoses are differentiated by presumed etiology, severity, duration, or timing.  Common among all of the depressive disorders is the presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood, accompanied by somatic and cognitive changes that significantly affect an individual’s capacity to function.

 

Specific signs and symptoms include:

  • Depressed mood most of the day, almost every day.
  • Angry outbursts or irritability
  • Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
  • Sleep difficulties, including insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Tiredness and lethargy
  • Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite associated with weight gain
  • Feelings of sadness, numbness, emptiness, or hopelessness
  • Slowed thinking, speech, or body movements
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Memory problems and issues with concentration
  • Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death
  • Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts

You don’t have to have all – or even most – of the symptoms to be experiencing a clinical depression.  Although arguably the cause of the depressive episode can be that of a simple chemical imbalance in the brain, that is not generally the sole cause.  Most depressive episodes result from a combination of factors that include family history, stress, trauma history, medical issues or medications.

You are not alone! You have a treatable condition.

We understand the social stigmas that come with the label of being depressed and aim to help clients sort out their environmental, biological and circumstantial factors contributing to their depression while offering support and care through a very dark time in their lives.

Therapy can help.

Working one-on-one with a therapist, you can learn to accept and address feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety, guilt or depression. And clarify what you want in life and how you want to live you life. Your therapist can help you find ways to cope with your uncomfortable emotions and difficult interactions.  Therapy can help you process experiences and emotions in a healthy way so that you can work to move forward in your life.

Therapy can give you the power to reclaim your life. Together, we will figure out what is holding you back and find a path to creating the life you want.

We are a Chicago-based psychotherapy group providing teletherapy to adults throughout Illinois who are seeking profound change in their lives.  We provide services that affirm the dignity, worth, and value of all individuals. We strive to create a safe non-judgemental space for clients to explore the issues that bring them. To connect with one of our therapists, please schedule a free intake consultation.