Depression is a condition that can make a person feel sluggish, hopeless, and discouraged. It can make it tough to participate in activities or relationships that we once enjoyed. Some have described it as feeling like a cloud is hanging over them, or like there is a black hole in their chest. It can lead to self-isolation, fatigue, mental exhaustion, or anger. It can even produce such physical symptoms as body pains, lethargy, headaches, or illness.

Those who have never experienced depression sometimes think that it is a condition that can be overcome by a simple change of mind from a negative outlook to a positive one. Some naively believe that it is a simple human weakness that can be overcome by tighter mental control.

Depression is rarely that simple, however, and may require professional help to get through. If you or a loved one is experiencing depression, the professionals at Richardson Christian Counseling can help you find health and lasting happiness, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Please contact our reception team at
(469) 943-2626

Schedule an appointment

Do I have depression?

It may not be easy to determine whether or not you have depression. An accurate diagnosis will require the help of a trained counselor or doctor. However, here are some symptoms of depression that may indicate that you need to seek professional help.

  • Hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities
  • Overeating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Excessive sleep
  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Forgetfulness
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Persistent pain, headaches, or indigestion

While the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily indicate depression, they are indicators that a professional diagnosis may be needed.

One of the preliminary goals of counseling for depression at Richardson Christian Counseling is to identify the root cause of your depression so that an appropriate treatment plan can be employed. Depression can have a wide variety of causes, but here are some of the major ones.

  • Death or loss
  • Abuse (physical or emotional)
  • Relational conflict
  • Genetic factors
  • Financial trouble
  • Various kinds of trauma
  • Life-changing events
  • Reaction to a particular medication
  • Illness, especially a prolonged one
  • Substance abuse

Again, the causes can be many and varied. If you haven’t experienced any of the things on this list, it may just mean that your cause is different. Your counselor will work with you to find the cause.

Just as many things can cause depression, so there are also several kinds of depression. These include the following:

Major depression. Also known as “clinical depression,” this is the type of depression that most people think of when they think of depression. It is typically treated with a combination of medication and counseling.

Persistent depressive disorder. This is a milder, but still long-term form of depression that occurs for at least two years and includes several symptoms of depression.

Seasonal affective disorder. This form of depression happens only during certain seasons of the year – typically fall or winter – and is thought to be related to lower levels of daylight.

Bipolar depression. Formerly known as manic depression, this kind of depression is characterized by extreme mood swings that include both emotional highs and lows.

Situational depression. When a person experiences trauma or some sort of dramatic life change, they may undergo a period of situational depression.

Postpartum depression. This is a type of depression that primarily affects women after giving birth. If left untreated, it can last for months or even years after the birth.

Atypical depression. This is a blanket term to cover depression which does not easily fit the above categories.

Treatment will vary depending on the type, severity, and longevity of the depression. The professional counselors at Richardson Christian Counseling combine faith in Christ, Bible study, and prayer, combined with effective counseling techniques. There are a wide variety of counseling techniques that the counselors for depression in Richardson, Texas, employ.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This type of therapy encourages the client to identify and overcome negative thoughts and behaviors by exploring how their thoughts, emotions, and behavior may contribute to depression. The counselor helps them replace the negative ones with positive, healthy ones.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy. IPT looks at how conflict affects a person and how they relate to others, including family, friends, and romantic partners.

Psychodynamic Therapy. This kind of therapy tries to find the root cause of a person’s depression by exploring their past and their relationships. The goal is to relinquish self-blame or shame and understand their struggles in order to find healing.

Reaching Out

If you are ready to tackle your depression head-on, contact us today. The counselors at Richardson Christian Counseling can help you find a path forward through the depression into a life of health and peace.

Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Please contact our reception team at
(469) 943-2626

Schedule an appointment