Depression Archives | Richardson Christian Counseling

The Silent Struggles of Shoplifting Addiction

The Silent Struggles of Shoplifting Addiction

Grace Mavindidze2025-09-27T06:25:39+00:00September 27th, 2025|Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling|

On a daily basis, people walk in and out of the malls and supermarkets casually, without anyone noticing the secret burden a shoplifting addict is silently carrying around. It's the easy to write off anyone who steals as a mere thief, deliberately out to hurt or take from others. Although theft has become a common crime, there is more to shoplifting sprees than what meets the eye. Firstly, the National Association for Shoplifters Anonymous says over twenty-seven million Americans struggle with the problem of compulsive stealing. No store, from the plushest of malls to the humblest of corner stores, is beyond the reach of those with shoplifting addiction. Despite strict security measures being taken by retailers all over the country, the numbers surrounding shoplifting just seem to climb higher and higher. What is really going on? What are the correlations here that may help retailers take measures to prevent incidents of theft while at the same time offering resources and support to individuals in need? What to Know about Shoplifting Addiction Shoplifting addiction, or kleptomania, is a behavioral compulsion where a person feels the overwhelming urge to steal things, whether or not they need or value them. The condition has more to do with being psychologically compelled to steal than getting the stolen object. In simple words, a shoplifter just cannot help themselves, even when they have lots of money to pay for these things. More recent studies suggest that more than half of all shoplifters have some kind of addictive disorder. This correlation can help retailers devise strategies for the prevention of theft. Likewise, it can shape programs and treatment meant to support those who struggle with the underlying issues that cause kleptomania. To make matters worse, research has shown there is no 'typical' profile for someone who [...]

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Different Types of Depression: What to Look For and How to Tell the Difference

Different Types of Depression: What to Look For and How to Tell the Difference

Sarah Gibson, Kate Motaung2025-04-25T11:53:56+00:00April 25th, 2025|Depression, Featured, Grief Counseling, Individual Counseling|

Depression affects millions of people worldwide. Common symptoms of depression include persistent sadness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and loss of interest in enjoyable activities. For those who suffer from depression, these symptoms are usually present nearly every day and can make work, school, or spending time with loved ones incredibly difficult. Under the umbrella term of depression are several types of depression, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Bipolar Disorder, or Postpartum Disorder, among others. Several types of depression exist because the symptoms and presentation of depression vary depending on factors like one’s brain chemistry, hormonal changes, or life circumstances. As a result, different types of treatment may be needed. The Different Types of Depression Everyone feels down from time to time. However, depression is a persistent sadness that doesn’t lift as easily. It may feel like a shadow following you, an empty feeling in your chest. With the different types of depression, symptoms can last from two weeks to several months or years. Treatment for the different types of depression varies, but most counselors use a combination of talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, group therapy, and time. In some cases, your physician may prescribe medication to take in combination with counseling. The following are several different types of depression. Major Depressive Disorder Major Depressive Disorder is what most people think of when they think of depression. Symptoms can be severe and last for at least two weeks, although many people experience symptoms up to a year without treatment. Major Depressive Disorder episodes can return months or years after treatment. The risk for recurrence is higher the more often you experience depressive episodes. Up to 10% of people with Major Depressive Disorder will later be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. People with this type of depression are more likely to have [...]

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Teenage Depression is Real: 3 Subtle Signs to Watch for in Your Teen

Teenage Depression is Real: 3 Subtle Signs to Watch for in Your Teen

Sarah Gibson, Kate Motaung2025-01-29T10:00:45+00:00January 29th, 2025|Christian Counseling For Teens, Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling|

As the number of instances of teenage- depression continues to grow in the United States, the importance of addressing this issue has become increasingly clear. In a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers found that 17% of teens (ages 12-17) experienced symptoms of depression. The Importance of Recognizing Teenage Depression Supporting teens on their mental health journey has emerged as a key focus for parents, educators, and society, prompting us to explore the most effective ways to help and empower the next generation. For parents, a crucial first step is recognizing the key signs of teenage depression. Depression is more than just feeling sad. It is a serious mental health condition that affects your teen’s mood, behavior, and ability to function at school, at home, or with their friends. It can be difficult to tell if your teen is depressed because many depression symptoms are also common adolescent behaviors, like appetite changes or lack of energy. However, with depression, these symptoms are usually more severe, and they last for a longer period (weeks or months at a time). How to Spot Teenage Depression For a teen struggling with depression, they might feel sad for weeks or even months at a time. Their mood does not seem to improve, or they do not “brighten up” when good things happen. To them, it might be hard for them to remember a time when they weren’t sad. They might have trouble concentrating in class, may not be interested in their hobbies, have difficulty sleeping, or sleep too much. Parents need to notice if their teen is acting differently. Did your teen previously hang out with their friends, but now they spend all their free time in their room alone? Or does your teen who was [...]

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How To Deal With People That Are Overstepping Boundaries In Your Relationships

How To Deal With People That Are Overstepping Boundaries In Your Relationships

Kate Motaung2024-10-30T09:12:11+00:00June 29th, 2024|Depression, Family Counseling, Featured, Group Counseling, Individual Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues|

You’ve just gotten home after a long day at work, and you’re sitting on your couch nursing a glass of wine while deciding if there’s anything worth getting into on Netflix. Your phone pings beside you, and you see a few messages that have just come in. One is from a sibling asking to borrow your car for the weekend. Another is from your boss, who’s just sent you an email that they need you to respond to in time for an early morning meeting the next day. The last one is an inappropriate text from a person you went out with once and things didn’t work out, but every so often they still send messages expressing their feelings even after you told them not to. In each of these scenarios, there’s a boundary that is likely getting violated. Your sibling may be asking for the car even though they know you tend to use it then and you’ve hesitated to loan the car to them since they had a fender bender. Your employer should know better than to send work emails outside of work hours and expect a response before the following morning. And if you’ve requested someone to stop sending you messages, they are likewise violating your boundaries and likely your sense of safety. In each of these cases, people are overstepping their boundaries in the relationship. What Are Boundaries? A helpful way to think of boundaries in relationships is to look at a physical real-world example. If you’re blessed enough to own your home, you’ll know that there’s a boundary that marks your property and also delineates what your neighbor’s property is. When you’re cutting your grass or doing some landscaping, you’re responsible for your patch while your neighbor is responsible for theirs. The boundary indicates [...]

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The Unexpected Side Effects of Depression and What You Can Do

The Unexpected Side Effects of Depression and What You Can Do

Kate Motaung2024-10-29T15:06:49+00:00November 18th, 2022|Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues, Women’s Issues|

If you or someone you love lives with the effects of depression, you know that it is far more than occasional feelings of sadness. People often use the term depression casually to explain a wide array of feelings. Depression, however, is a medical diagnosis that goes beyond generalized feelings of sadness or being down. Even if you learn and understand what to expect, there can be some things that surprise you. While they are not the direct symptoms, these things can be side effects associated with the depression you or your loved one lives with each day. Understanding these things and what you can do to help will make the effects of depression feel less overwhelming so you can better manage it each day. Expected things associated with depression Depression, sometimes referred to as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mood disorder that causes symptoms that can affect how you feel, think, and behave. These things can affect your daily life, as they are persistent for weeks, months, or even years. The most common things symptoms are: Persistent sadness or feeling empty: This is the most common thing people think of with depression. It is often described as a generalized feeling of being sad, down, or blue. The key here is that it is persistent over time and affects daily life. Loss of interest in relationships and things that were once enjoyed: People living with depression can exhibit a lack of interest in things like hobbies or activities they used to enjoy. It can even carry over into relationships, losing interest in connecting with people they care about. Negative feelings: A variety of negative feelings can be present. Things like pessimism, melancholy, irritability, worthlessness, and insecurity are a few common struggles for people with depression. Not [...]

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