Depression

Depression Can Pull All of The Color Out of Life & Pull You Down

Depression is when you lose your ability to enjoy life, lose hope, feel alone and have no motivation.  When you’re depressed the world looks black and bleak. It’s as if nothing matters. Anything you do takes so much energy and sometimes it feels like you don’t have the energy to even get out of bed. What used to give you pleasure doesn’t anymore. The emotional pain can become physical pain. Your thoughts are negative and it’s hard to see any good in your life. Maybe you feel overwhelmed with grief or with problems you don’t see how you can solve. You may feel alone, unlovable, unworthy, unsucessful, and that change is impossible.

These thought patterns have take a significant toll on mental well-being, peace of mind, self-esteem, and relationships. The persistent internal narrative of pessimism, self-criticism, and hopelessness can create a sense of being trapped in a dark cloud, where it becomes difficult to see anything positive in life. The cumulative effect of these factors not only perpetuates the cycle of depression but also hinders the ability to function effectively in personal and professional settings, often leading to withdrawal from people and activities once enjoyed. Altogether leading to a significantly negative impact on overall quality of life.

 

Depression can cause intense feelings of loneliness and isolation, even when surrounded by others.

A pervasive sense of hopelessness can engulf someone with depression, making the future seem bleak and unchangeable.

Individuals with depression often experience a loss of interest in activities they once found enjoyable, leading to a diminished ability to feel pleasure.

Physical symptoms can manifest through poor hygiene, eating habits, excessive sleeping, and unexplained aches and pains due to the emotional turmoil of depression.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

Low-grade depression, often referred to as dysthymia or persistent depressive disorder (PDD), feels like a chronic, lingering sadness or emotional numbness that persists for years. Unlike major depressive episodes that come in waves, low-grade depression is more subtle but long-lasting.

People with low-grade depression often describe it as:

  • A constant gray cloud – You may not feel intensely sad, but there’s a persistent sense of emptiness or heaviness.
  • Low energy and motivation – Everyday tasks feel slightly more difficult, and you may lack enthusiasm even for things you used to enjoy.
  • Mild irritability – You might feel easily frustrated, impatient, or emotionally drained.
  • Difficulty experiencing joy – Even happy moments may feel muted or distant.
  • Low self-esteem – There’s often an underlying feeling of self-doubt or inadequacy.
  • Social withdrawal – You might still engage with others but feel disconnected or disinterested in deep interactions.
  • Brain fog – It can be hard to concentrate, stay organized, or make decisions.
  • Sleep and appetite changes – Some people experience mild insomnia, oversleeping, overeating, or loss of appetite.

Because it’s not as intense as major depression, many people live with low-grade depression for years, thinking it’s just their personality or “just how life is.” However, treatment—whether through therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes—can significantly improve your quality of life.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) can feel incredibly frustrating—like you’ve tried everything, but the heaviness just won’t lift. It’s typically diagnosed when someone doesn’t respond to at least two different antidepressants taken at the right dose for a long enough period. But TRD isn’t just about medications—not responding to therapy can be just as discouraging, especially when TRD has been present for significant periods of time. 

Many people with TRD have tried traditional talk therapy, like CBT or supportive therapy, without lasting relief. For those with undercontrolled traits (often seen in classic DBT populations), this might be because impulsivity, emotional reactivity, and difficulty regulating distress create cycles of self-sabotage or crisis-driven treatment attempts. When standard therapy feels ineffective, approaches like DBT or DBT-Prolonged Exposure can help by targeting the emotional dysregulation that keeps depression stuck.

On the other hand, TRD in those with overcontrolled traits—often seen in people who tend toward perfectionism, rigidity, and emotional inhibition—requires a different approach. These individuals may struggle to express emotions, connect with others, or be flexible in their thinking, which can make both medication and standard therapy feel ineffective. Traditional therapy often focuses on emotional cognitive restructuring and emotion regulation, but for those with overcontrol, the problem isn’t a lack of emotional control—it’s difficulty in emotional openness and social engagement. In these cases, Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT) is often a better fit, helping increase flexibility, social connectedness, and emotional expression. For individuals needing more intensive support, Adult Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) using DBT offer a structured, comprehensive approach. These programs provide multiple weekly sessions that integrate skills training, individual therapy, and group support, making them especially effective for those with treatment-resistant depression and overcontrolled traits.

When depression isn’t responding to typical treatments, it’s not just about trying harder—it’s about finding the right approach for the way a person interacts with emotions and the world around them. 

Navigate through the darkness with a compassionate specialist by your side

Bring Joy, Light, & Positivity Back Into your Life

Our role is to hold hope when your depression has robbed you of that. 

Our optimism is grounded in the numerous instances we’ve seen of individuals recovering from depression, including chronic cases. We offer a variety of treatment options, each tailored to meet specific needs, circumstances, and personality temperaments. 

Behavioral Activation is a proven approach for those who find even basic tasks like getting out of bed overwhelming. This method involves working closely with you to dissect and understand your depression cycles, particularly how they might be spiraling downwards. Our goal is to help construct an upward spiral that aligns with your personal values and life goals, injecting meaning back into your life. This may involve adjusting your daily structure or finding new ways to reintroduce pleasure into your life.

Grief Work is another crucial aspect of our treatment spectrum, particularly for depression stemming from loss. Losses can be deeply impactful, whether they’re related to the passing of a loved one or unfulfilled expectations, such as career aspirations or family dynamics. By addressing these losses, we aim to facilitate healing and acceptance.

For individuals with an undercontrolled temperament, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is highly effective. DBT focuses on identifying the elements of your life that are worth living for and the barriers preventing you from achieving this ideal. It involves working through the reasons behind destructive behaviors and learning skills necessary for making significant life changes, finding pleasure, and accepting unchangeable circumstances.

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) is tailored for those with an overcontrolled temperament. RO DBT aims to enhance flexibility, openness, and deepen or establish fulfilling relationships. It’s particularly useful for addressing the loneliness that often underpins chronic depression.

Each of these therapies is a testament to our commitment to not only understanding the multifaceted nature of depression but also providing personalized and effective treatment pathways. We believe in the potential for recovery and are dedicated to guiding our clients through their journey towards a healthier, more fulfilled life.