Is it Depression?

Is What You’re Feeling Normal or Is it Depression?

Just because you don’t feel good doesn’t mean you are depressed. “Dark emotions” are not just normal and healthy parts of life, they are also essential to personal growth. Feeling unhappy is often the catalyst for making positive changes in your life. As a Denver therapist, I tell you this with confidence.

There is light and dark in all things. Experiencing grief, sadness, disappointment, hurt, and regret – unpleasant though they may be – are part of being a whole person.

Furthermore, listening to those hard feelings and taking guidance from them can help you understand yourself, your core needs, and your values more clearly. Even though they don’t feel good at the moment, dark emotions are not just healthy, they are valuable. When you listen to those feelings instead of dismissing them as “bad,” you have the chance to heal and grow.

What Is It Like To Have Depression?

Depression is different from the pain of a “growth moment.” Depression is not motivating, instructive or valuable. It’s an illness.

Depression is a mood state that impacts the way you think, feel, and behave. Unlike the dark emotions that are connected to growth opportunities, depression is not productive or constructive. In fact, depression can be a serious illness that needs to be treated and relieved before meaningful personal growth is possible.

How Do You Know If You Have Depression?

On today’s episode of the Love, Happiness and Success Podcast, I’m taking you inside depression so you can understand what it is — and what it is not. I’ll help you identify the symptoms of depression in yourself or your loved one.

Depression Management Skills

We’ll also talk about what to do if you think you have depression so that you can create a practical strategy for conquering it. We’ll talk about natural remedies for depression, cognitive behavioral therapy, and when medication for depression is the best idea. I’ll also discuss what to do if you suspect that your partner or loved one is depressed, and how you can help them recover.

Depression exists on a spectrum from mild to serious. One thing I discuss on the podcast is that when depression becomes very serious, it can become life threatening. Here are links to get emergency help if you or your loved one are in real trouble and need help immediately:

Colorado Crisis Hotline: 1-844-493-8255

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

I hope this episode of the Love, Happiness and Success Podcast helps you identify what’s going on in your life, and whether you’re dealing with depression or a “growth opportunity.” If you do believe that depression is gaining power in your life, I hope this discussion provides you with both hope (as depression is very treatable) as well as actionable steps you can start taking today.

Lisa Marie Bobby

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Lisa Marie Bobby, PhD, LMFT, BCC

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby is a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified coach, AAMFT clinical supervisor, host of the Love, Happiness, and Success Podcast and founder of Growing Self.