Struggling with depression can feel like fighting a losing battle.
You can see the storm clouds rolling in, yet it feels like there is nothing you can do to stop it. Each moment you feel good is poisoned by the reality that the depression will return. It’s only a matter of time until the crushing weight of despair returns.
“The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself despite being unacceptable.” – Paul Tillich
There are many signs and symptoms of depression. Feeling sad, down, lethargic, losing motivation, or becoming tired too easily are some of the most common. It can feel overwhelming just to get out of bed sometimes. Depression is right there when you wake up, calling you a failure and urging you not to even try. Sometimes it’s hard not to believe that it’s telling the truth.
From a clinical standpoint, that’s basically true. Depression reinforces itself. Research indicates that depression actually changes how we recall information. Depression causes us to recall our more negative memories and bypass the positive more easily. It really isn’t “all in your head.” You are working against biological processes that make it hard to remember any sort of positive reality.
The takeaway is this – there is nothing wrong with you.
While it feels that way, it’s just not true. And because there’s nothing wrong with you, I’m not going to try to fix you. At this point, you’re probably thinking, “Then what am I coming to see you for? I need fixing!” But the truth is, I think you need understanding. I think you need acceptance. It is my sincere belief that when you can feel complete acceptance from me, despite feeling completely unacceptable, you will begin to change. As Carl Rogers said, “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
Now, the process is not as easy as I make it sound. Yes, there is always a catch. And as I’m sure you can imagine, we’ll be doing more than just sitting around a campfire accepting one another. It’s hard work, but there is hope, and there is freedom.
So if you’re ready to begin your journey to healing, give me a call or send me an email. I would be honored to walk with you on this journey.