Crooked River Counseling Services
Does it feel like a struggle to just get out of bed?
Do you feel worthless, hopeless and sadness you can’t escape?
Have you lost interest in things that used to bring you joy?
You are not alone.
I can help.
Depression can sometimes feel like it is robbing you of your happiness. Depression can drain your motivation and make you feel fatigued. Worse yet, depression and anxiety can often go hand in hand with one another. This can lead you to feel like you are stuck in an endless cycle that is extremely debilitating. Depression can make you feel like you are a burden to the people around you.
The most commonly diagnosed form of depression is Major Depressive Disorder, and it affects more than 16.1 million American adults (about 6.7% of the U.S. population age 18 and older). Research has found there are many contributors to mental illness – biological, environmental, psychological and genetic factors all play a role. Major Depressive Disorder is diagnosed if you’re experiencing depression symptoms like an overwhelming feeling of sadness, hopelessness, or pessimism and/or a loss of interest and enjoyment in most activities over an extended period of time.
Major Depressive Disorder: The symptoms associated with major depression include decrease or increase in appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, constant fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt, recurrent thoughts of death and suicidal ideation with or without specific plans for committing suicide, and cognitive difficulties, such as, diminished ability to think, concentrate and take decisions. The symptoms persist for two weeks or longer and represent a significant change from previous functioning. Social, occupational, educational, or other important functioning is also impacted. For instance, the person may start missing work or school, or stop going to classes or their usual social activities.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): The essential feature of this mood disorder is a low, dark or sad mood that is persistently present for most of the day and on most days, for at least 2 years For the individual to receive the diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder they should also have two of the diagnostic symptoms which include poor appetite or overeating, insomnia or hypersomnia, low energy or fatigue, low self-esteem, poor concentration, difficulty making decisions, or feelings of hopelessness. During this period, any symptom-free intervals last no longer than two months. The symptoms are not as severe as with major depression. Major depression may precede persistent depressive disorder, and major depressive episodes may also occur during persistent depressive disorder.
Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood: This disorder is diagnosed when symptoms of depression are triggered within 3 months of onset of a stressor. The stressor usually involves a change of some kind in the life of the client, which he/she finds stressful. Sometimes the stressor can even be a positive event such as a new job, marriage, or baby, which is nevertheless stressful for the individual. The distress is typically out of proportion to the expected reaction and the symptoms cause significant distress and impairment in functioning.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): People with SAD suffer the symptoms of a Major Depressive Disorder only during a specific time of year, usually winter. This appears to be related to the shorter days of winter, and the lack of sunlight in many parts of the country (especially in Akron Ohio!).
I have news for you! Depression is common and can be treated. At Crooked River Counseling we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Person Centered Therapy to help you see how you can develop new ways of thinking and change the habits that may contribute to your depression. Through depression counseling you will look at patterns and relationships that could be contributing to your depression. We will also focus on creating healthy coping strategies. Learning to cope with your depressive thoughts can make your day to day life so much easier.
Depression may present itself differently in men and women and typically occurs more often in women or they are at least more willing to report it. Men will often experience irritability, anger, and fatigue and may show some reckless behavior that could include drug or alcohol abuse. For women the strongest feelings are worthlessness, guilt and sadness. If this sounds like you, the good news is depression is treatable! Clients see results through counseling and often times the pairing of therapy and medication can be extremely effective.
I use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Person Centered Therapy. I also use a myriad of motivational interviewing and mindfulness skills to help guide clients through the therapy process. I believe that all changes comes from within the client and I am just a guide along their journey.
As a therapist, I am always looking for ways I can contribute to helping people improve their mental health. One way I do this is by providing resources on my blog where I dish all my tips on coping with depressive thoughts. Here are a few blogs I’ve written you may find useful:
Coping Skills To Improve Your Mental Health
If you’re ready to start fighting your depression, I can help. You don’t have to live with these feelings of hopelessness, sadness, anxiety and fear. Counseling be the catalyst that turns everything around.
At my Akron counseling clinic, I help people gain the tools they need to fight depression. Depression makes it hard to find the motivation to even call a therapist. I know, but I encourage you to take that first step and contact me anyway. You deserve to start feeling better. We can set up an appointment for you to begin counseling for depression. I look forward to the opportunity working with you on breaking the cycle you are stuck in and making new patterns.
I know it can feel scary to come in for counseling. Especially if it is your first time going to therapy! I promise I will make the process as easy and painless as possible for you. Please consider checking out my frequently asked questions page or contact me with other questions, I am here to help!
Depression isn’t the only thing counseling can help with.
As a mental health therapist, I can also help you to stop struggling with anxious thoughts, cope with the stressors of college and young adulthood and begin to life your best life. I am passionate about my work with individuals who are teens, college students and young adults. I am an ally of the LGBT+ community and my office is a safe space for all queer and questioning clients.
Are you ready to take the next step?
If you are looking for a counselor in Akron, OH, I can help. My name is Allyssa Dziurlaj, and I am passionate about my work as a mental health therapist. We can set up an appointment for you to begin counseling for depression today!
24/7 Crisis Hotline: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (Substance Abuse)
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
