Getting Help for Depression: How to Overcome Feelings of Emptiness

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. About 21 million U.S. adults experience a major depressive episode every year.¹ The signs and symptoms of depression can be debilitating and often affect your quality of life. If you’ve noticed feelings of emptiness or other indications that you may have depression, you aren’t alone.

Thankfully, depression is a treatable condition. Getting help for depression is the first step toward taking back control so you can live a happy, fulfilling life. What can you do when you start to notice depression symptoms? How do you know when it’s time to ask for help, and where can you go to get the help you need?

What is Depression?

Depression is a mental health disorder that affects a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It affects about 8.4% of adults in the United States in a given year. While women are diagnosed with the condition more often, people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and genders can experience depression. Some common subtypes include:

• Major depression
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Perinatal depression
• Depression with symptoms of psychosis

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

There are many signs and symptoms of depression. These signs range from mild to severe and may impact your ability to eat, sleep, work, connect with others, or handle daily activities. Some of the most common depression symptoms include:

• Feeling sad, anxious, or empty
• Feeling pessimistic or hopeless
• Feeling irritable, frustrated, or restless
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
• Losing interest in enjoyable activities or hobbies
• Having less energy or feeling fatigued
• Having difficulties concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
• Having problems sleeping through the night, oversleeping, or waking too early
• Experiencing sudden changes in appetite
• Having thoughts of self-harm, death, or suicide
• Attempting suicide

If you notice any of these signs and symptoms of depression nearly every day for at least two weeks, you may have clinical depression. Thankfully, help is available if you’re struggling. You can find programs that specialize in working with people living with depression.

Getting Help for Depression

Sometimes other conditions cause symptoms similar to depression symptoms. This is why getting help for depression is so crucial. It’s easy to overlook another condition that could be causing problems. Your physician or another mental health professional is best suited to determine whether you’re dealing with signs and symptoms of depression or another condition.

Remember – you don’t have to deal with your depression alone; you can find help for your condition. Getting help for depression may feel like an impossible feat, but there are programs available for anyone willing to ask for help. If you’re ready to seek help, facilities like Clearview Treatment Programs are a great solution for you.

We offer a comprehensive approach to mental health treatment that includes psychotherapy and medication for the best outcomes possible. We’re dedicated to offering the best care possible for our clients and are here for you as soon as you’re ready. To speak with an admissions specialist and learn more about the programs we offer, call us at 866-339-3544 or submit an online contact form!

References

1. National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Major Depression.
2. National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Depression.