Depression: It’s Not Just an Emotion by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
One Piece of The Bigger Picture
For individuals who experience depression, one component is the emotion; depression can be expressed as hopelessness or worthlessness, and in some cases feeling numb. It’s important to keep in mind that the emotion is only one part of it.
The Bigger Picture
Equally important is how the depression is expressed and what it’s impacting. As discussed in my video Am I Sad or Depressed, the emotion that’s experienced on the inside comes out in different ways, leads to certain behaviors, and makes certain areas of life difficult.
Depression can be expressed in many different forms. In teens, it can display as irritability. For others, it can feel as if their body is heavy, making it difficult to move. For Asian Americans, it can be expressed physically, such as feeling pain or discomfort in different parts of the body.
Depression can impact different areas of an individual’s life because it robs them of their motivation and ability to focus. Individuals may notice that they don’t have the desire to be around others or to do things that used to interest them. They may also notice that they’re having difficulty completing tasks at work, school, and/or home.
The fact that the emotion has impacted the individual’s body and made certain areas of their life difficult should make others in the individual’s life stop, listen, and accept it, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Why Does the Whole Picture Matter?
A huge source of frustration that individuals living with depression might experience is feeling like other people don’t understand what their depression is truly like and don’t understand how depression is impacting their life. There can be many different reasons for this, ranging from lack of understanding about depression to stigma about a loved one having a mental illness. Unfortunately, this can lead the individual to feel even more alone.
If you’re a loved one who has a partner or family member living with depression, you might experience clarity by learning about depression from reliable sources, such as the Bipolar & Depression Support Alliance, NAMI, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
If you are an individual living with depression who feels alone, dismissed, misunderstood, or unheard, there are others who you can reach out to for support. Not only are there in-person and online support groups through the Bipolar & Depression Support Alliance and in-person support groups through NAMI, but there are also mental health professionals who can provide individual therapy to discuss this difficulty and how it can be managed. Depression is treatable and you don’t have to do this alone.
You don’t have to do this alone. If you are interested in receiving video therapy with me, let’s schedule a free 15-minute phone consult.
I provide video therapy. My office is located in Irvine, which is near Newport Beach, Orange, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Tustin, Seal Beach, and beyond. I work with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and Asian American & Pacific Islanders.
Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. The topics being discussed are meant as a self-help tool for you own use. It is not psychotherapy or counseling. This information is to be used based on your own judgment. If you need to speak with a professional, you should find one local to you and contact them directly.