Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the U.S. and it’s more than just moodiness or brief periods of feeling down. When ignored and not addressed, depression can spiral out of control. Clinical depression is defined by the consistent presence of symptoms for a period of two weeks or more that interfere with how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, working, school, or relationships.
Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
Irritability
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
Decreased energy or fatigue
Moving or talking more slowly
Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight changes
Thoughts of death or suicide
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment
It’s important to remember that depression can look different from person to person and not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom.
Although the amount, intensity, and duration of symptoms varies depending on the individual, the collective impact on daily functioning can be significant.
Oftentimes, people with depression try to hide it and it is not until they reach a breaking point that their loved-ones are clued in. This is particularly true in teens whose symptoms can be easily confused with more normative adolescent behaviors.
Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy.
Becoming easily frustrated, irritable, or angry over small things.
Withdrawal or complete isolation from friends and family
Reporting that they feel sad, anxious, worthless, numb, or “empty”.
Dropping grades or attendance.
Changes in their eating or sleeping habits.
Increase in physical complaints or ailments (headaches, stomach aches, etc.)
Indirect or direct reference to hopelessness or suicide
Nothing I do is ever good enough.
I am worthless and can’t do anything about it.
I just want to eat, sleep and be alone.
I feel guilty for things that aren’t my fault.
I hate who I am these days.
I can’t stop crying, which makes me want to stay away from others.
I feel gut-wrenching pain, but no one understands.
My life and the world around me are dark. I hate it, but I can’t change it.
I feel numb and empty.
One of the most widely researched and effective treatments for depression is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Drawing from the CBT model, you or your teen will learn how thoughts, feelings and behavior are connected, how to catch and reframe unhelpful thought patterns, and how to build coping skills.
I want you to know that you are not alone and there are people who can help. Many of my clients find relief in realizing that their struggle does not own them and that it is possible to reclaim hope for their lives.
Self-worth is a concept that speaks to how we feel about ourselves. When one has high self-worth, they feel confident, centered, and worthy of love.
People with low self-worth often feel shame and self-doubt. They are critical of themselves and may believe that they are unworthy of love or praise.
Do you find that you often feel awkward and self-conscious in social settings? Or do you constantly compare yourself to others only to conclude that you just don’t measure up?
Imposter Syndrome – These individuals project false confidence and use their accomplishments to mask their insecurities. We often find perfectionists and procrastinators in this group.
Rebellion – These individuals pretend to not care about what others think of them. Feelings of inferiority may often come across as anger or blame. Some may act out by defying authority and even breaking the law.
Victimhood – In this scenario, low self-worth causes the person to feel helpless in the face of life’s challenges. They may play the role of the victim and rely on others.
Depression and anxiety
Lack of joy in life
Anger, guilt, sadness
Self-doubt
A lack of resilience
Loneliness
Isolation
Eating issues
Codependency
Self-harm
The good news is, self-worth is something that can be changed by changing your beliefs, behavior and how you think about yourself. Having said this, most people developed their self-worth issues in childhood and have been living with low self-worth for a very long time.
Having a knowledgeable and supportive therapist in your corner can help you develop a healthier and more realistic sense of self. I can help you connect the dots in your life, discover where your low self-worth came from and provide tools so you can absolve your negative beliefs and critical self-talk and replace them with self-love and self-compassion.