Being a counselor, I get many people who are feeling depressed and/or anxious where in the past it would eventually lift. A person will look into counseling when there is a hurdle in the form of depression or anxiety, they are not able to get over. There are so many factors to look at; History of depression or anxiety in the family, Medications or if there has been something significant in someone’s life such as a loss bringing on symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Nine times out of ten there is a factor that can be identified. What about that 10th person out of 10?
Many times, depression or anxiety can be the result of fairly normal parts of life such as not sleeping well, getting into an argument or something no one has a good experience of such as being in a car wreck. Some clients I have met do not have anything they can think of causing their symptoms and they think medications such as an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety is the answer. Lastly, I will ask; are you getting adequate sleep, proper nutrition and exercise? Puzzled as a client is thinking through the question one or more of these needs is not being met.
Personally speaking, if I do not get a good sleep, even for one night, it is going to affect my entire week. The next day I usually feel lethargic and depressed. For me, there is nothing better than a good night’s sleep. Regularly not getting proper sleep can cause clinical depression. Plus, this effects your workday as concentration is off. The immune system is not as strong either. When I get a cold, the best thing for that is sleep. When that is not happening, there are consequences. Not so great sleeps are fairly common, but if it is happening on a regular basis, it may be time to see a sleep doctor or primary care physician.
The same goes for exercise. My opinion is that exercise is the absolute best thing you can do for yourself as it produces the body’s own antidepressant. Even if I am tired, I still get on my elliptical machine. My mood is so much better and I am more motivated. Exercise does not have to be at the gym as it could look like walking around the block. With Coronavirus closing many gyms, workouts I have seen online is a guy bench pressing a table with his two children.
Nutrition is also a component which I think is the hardest to control. There are many, many views on the best plan for nutrition. There is intermittent fasting, keto diet, low carbs and what not. Trying to work an eight-hour day on little to eat is going to bring on hunger and being tired.
Lastly, a counselor that I have gone to asked me this question. Have you had bloodwork recently? The result of bloodwork can show a deficiency playing a part in how you feel. A low iron count will leave you feeling tired. A high white cell counts can mean your body is battling a disease you may not be aware of. Each component plays a role in how you feel.
Sometimes it may be that taking an anti-depressant medication helps. Before you look into that, give yourself a hard look at these areas.
If you are looking for a therapist near you and a Google search is a great way of finding one. I happen to be a therapist in Charlotte, NC but am licensed to counsel anyone in the state of North Carolina. In Google, try looking for “psychotherapist,” “find therapist,” “therapy near me,” or even “counseling charlotte, nc.” If you feel like you have hit a wall you are not able to get past, call me at (704) 458-6298 or email me at jeffhelms@clearerthoughtspllc.com.
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