Our therapists provide depression counseling in Odessa, TX

How to Know If You Have Clinical Depression

The DSM-5, which is the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders used by mental health professionals to diagnose psychiatric conditions, has eight criteria for diagnosing depression:

1. A depressed mood that sticks around for longer than two weeks (continuously feeling sad and/or negative)
2. Anhedonia (losing interest or pleasure in activities you normally enjoy)
3. Changes in appetite and/or consequent weight loss or gain
4. Psychomotor retardation (slowed-down thoughts and actions)
5. Fatigue and exhaustion
6. Overwhelming feelings of sadness, guilt, or worthlessness
7. Problems with focus and/or memory
8. Suicidality (If you are ever considering hurting yourself or someone else, call a crisis hotline immediately.)

Other depression indications that aren’t in the DSM-5, but that a licensed depression counselor at Thriveworks in Odessa, TX might look for, include the following:

• Psychomotor agitation (sped-up thoughts and actions)
• Sleeping too much or too little (insomnia)
• Changes in sex drive (libido)
• Irritability (which may indicate depression in men more than women)
• Self-medication through substance abuse or addiction
• Isolation

How Do Counselors Treat Depression?

There are numerous effective, evidence-based ways to treat depression and prevent future episodes. Depression counselors at Thriveworks in Odessa, TX use a variety of therapeutic tools and approaches, including the following:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps change maladaptive thought patterns and beliefs
• Psychotherapy
• Interpersonal therapy
• Psychodynamic therapy
• Holistic remedies like meditation and mindfulness
• Family therapy or couples therapy
• Journaling
• Behavioral activation
• Problem-solving therapy

Discover Effective Treatments for Your Depression with a Provider at Thriveworks in Odessa, TX

With professional help, depression is highly treatable and can go into remission for years or a lifetime. But it helps to be resourceful and proactive by contacting the best depression counselors in Odessa, TX—the licensed therapists at Thriveworks. Thriveworks depression counselors can meet with you online or in person at the Odessa office, and they accept most health insurance so you get premium mental health care at affordable prices.

Most clients can get in to see their provider within a week of their first call to the office. We encourage you to reach out by phone or online to get started receiving depression counseling from Thriveworks Odessa.