you’re sleeping 10-12+ hours a day and still feel exhausted,
there is a constant sadness that won’t go away,
your hobbies no longer seem interesting or fun like they used to,
it’s been weeks since your friends and family have texted you and you still haven’t responded,
sometimes you think about how much easier it would be if you weren’t here,
no matter how much coffee you drink, you can’t seem to find the energy to do anything,
you’ve thought about or tried cutting yourself before just to feel something,
you often ask yourself “what’s the point?”
These may be signs you’re dealing with depression, suicidal ideation, or engaging in self-harm.
virtual depression, suicidal ideation (SI) & self-harm therapy in pa
“We just don’t know. The key is to keep going. Joy might be just around the corner.”
— Louise Penny, All The Devils Are Here
*Depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm behaviors are not mutually exclusive. Sometimes, depressive symptoms can be misdiagnosed and are actually the result of systemic oppression (i.e., racism), or the result of chronic loss (i.e., lost job, parent, and housing in a short timeframe). Suicidal ideation is often paired with depression, but SI exists on a spectrum and doesn’t always express itself as active and explicit. Self-harm is more than just cutting or self-mutilation. Self-harm is an umbrella term that requires nuance and compassion when explored in therapy, which is something that I prioritize for all my clients.
Do any of these situations sound familiar to your childhood or adolescent years?
mostly kept to yourself and avoided fun activities?
had one friend or no friends at all?
felt tired often or had trouble sleeping?
felt worthless or stupid?
spent the majority of your time in your room alone?
thought about death a lot or what it would be like to not exist?
What about in adulthood?
felt like you have to put on a “happy face” in social or professional settings?
felt like you have no purpose in life?
can’t remember the last time you said something nice about yourself?
consistently can’t get out of bed or spend hours trying and wind up late to work or social gatherings?
felt like you have everything you need or want but still feel “off”?
seemingly keep missing breakfast and lunch because several hours have passed?
What we’ll work on in depression, si & self-harm therapy:
find and befriend the parts of you that are struggling with daily functioning and maintaining relationships.
build a collaborative plan focused on safety and alternative coping strategies when you’re in high-risk territory
name and explore the systems that impact your ability to experience joy.
hold compassionate space to explore that you are not alone and there is hope.