Depression

Am I Depressed? 

Depression is more nuanced and varied than the symptoms you read about on Dr. Google. Some people function “well”, can hold down their job along with all their responsibilities, yet feel like they’re in a rut, or even a dark void. For others, it might knock you down to the ground, and leave you unable to carry on with daily tasks.

When Empaths Feel Depressed

There’s a sense of disconnection from others, self and the world that can creep up, often when anxiety builds up along with the depression. it’s almost as if you’re carrying the weight of the world. Larger global issues impact you deeply, and it can be hard to go about your day content when you’re so affected by the state of current affairs. When others don’t seem to grasp this, it adds more to the sense of isolation, and lack of meaning. Sometimes it seems like it would be easier if you weren’t so attuned to everything around you, could live more of a “bubble life” and not take things so seriously. It can also leave you with a sense of dread and feeling like you just weren’t made for these times.

Often when the world feels like it’s too much, we end up feeling drained, and you may find yourself with no patience to exchange pleasantries. You might feel like the whole world has lost its color and you’ve lost any sense of motivation or inspiration – it’s like the void has you in a state of complacency because it’s so tiring to be in its grips. Often when struggling, it’s common to want to cut yourself off, and spend less time with people in general. You might find that you want to spend more time alone and even when alone, you don’t ever feel recharged. 

How Does Therapy For Depression Work?

With the right support, we can unpack this experience, and legitimize the pain that you’re carrying while also gaining a sense of resiliency in the face of living in an uncertain world. By working to connect to your deepest values and gifts, all the things that depression can take from you, you may start to feel a greater sense of choice in your day to day life.

It is also common for the nervous system to shut down, which may show up as feeling disconnected, numb, foggy, confused and exhausted. I work with the sensations using somatic therapy to help the body come back to a state of regulation, aliveness and connection.

If this resonates for you, feel free to email me at kirsten@kirstennoack.com or contact me here.