Depression Therapy San Francisco
Especially if someone has been depressed for a long time—maybe even since childhood—they can be unsure whether this is “just the way life is” and think “maybe I just have to get used to it”. I have found that people only tend to ask “Am I really depressed?” when they are suffering far too much. These people almost always benefit a great deal from coming to therapy.
In my opinion, a diagnosis can be helpful, but it is not the most important part of a person’s treatment. Instead, I am interested in knowing and helping the whole person in the full context of their life. I discuss with people their thoughts, feelings, dreams and aspirations. We explore their relationships, their important life experiences and the seemingly irresolvable problems they have encountered. I care about people’s histories—about the ways that they have or have not been hurt over time, the ways that they have or have not been loved and cared for, and the always unique ways that people have processed and incorporated these experiences to become the person they are now.
Nonetheless, people often want to know if they qualify for an “official” diagnosis of depression or other mood disorder. I think it’s understandable to want to know, and I’m happy to discuss this with clients who are curious. Having a diagnosis can often help someone who is depressed feel less shame or guilt and can also sometimes give people a feeling of hope. After all, we have very good treatment for depression, and most people who get treatment do eventually feel much better.