TriBeCa Therapy is located in Downtown Manhattan, NYC and provides individual psychotherapy and group therapy for adults, children, teens and couples who are looking for creative help in living and building their lives.

There is perhaps no more talked about emotional malady than depression. Everyone experiences it, some much more than others. (Major Depression and Dysthymic Disorder (or Dysthymia) are other terms given to specific varieties of depression.)

It seems clear that what everyone is experiencing that gets referred to as depression couldn’t possible be the same thing. And yet we rarely question just what is meant by depression. Here are a few examples one might here walking down the the street in New York City:

I’ve been really depressed since I lost my job.
I have struggled with depression my whole life.
I find my job really depressing.
My depression has been really terrible lately.
My mother has been depressed since my father passed away.

What’s so important about recognizing the multiplicity of meanings expressed with the word depression?

To start with, it has a great deal of impact on how I approach helping someone who’s struggling with depression. We can’t begin with the assumption that we know what one another are talking about. Doing so would imply some sort of cookie cutter approach to helping.

Depressed? Create a less depressing life!

It’s hard not to talk about depression without talking about anti-depressants. Many, many people find them remarkable helpful. Others have disastrous experiences with them. I’m pretty neutral on the subject of psychiatric medications in general–if they’re helpful and you can tolerate the side-effects, great. Plenty of my patients take medication, others do not.

Fighting depression is about more than feeling better.

I am a big fan of feeling better. I’ve had my share of miserable times, and I wouldn’t wish for anyone to stay stuck in depression. The hard part is that you can’t take on depression without looking at the overall task of creating your life. What makes this so challenging is that you’ve got to create a less depressing life even as you’re feeling (perhaps incredibly) depressed! As impossible as it may seem, getting out of depression involves getting up, getting showered and dressed, making plans, being in touch, going on dates, finding a better job–in short, it involves doing all of those things that seem impossible for the very reason that you’re depressed!

It seems impossible, I know. But it isn’t. It may hurt like hell for a while. It may seem terrifying. But you’ve got to do it anyway.

For more information on creative psychotherapy in New York City for difficulties with depression, contact:

TriBeCa Therapy
matt@TriBeCaTherapy.com
212-571-5799
291 Broadway, Suite 801
New York, NY 10007