Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Specializing in Healthy Relationships and Healthy Living
Depression Support Group
"He said he understood my depression, because he was depressed after his girlfriend left him. He suggested I focus on other things, get out and do stuff I really enjoy, spend time with the people I love, and focus on the positive. It was then that I realized he did not understand at all. If he had, he would have known that he was asking me to do the very things I had been trying to do but, for whatever reason, couldn't for the past 2 years. His advice might as well have been 'you should just stop being so sad', I would have found that equally helpful."
This is a quote from a client who struggled with depression for over 2 years before finally seeking professional help. While these words may or may not resonate with you, they stuck with me because of the loneliness they convey. Despite the fact that depression is slated to be the second most common disease by the year 2020 (according to the World Health Organization), it is still wildly misunderstood. Consequently, it's not uncommon to feel invalidated, unseen, and unheard by those around you.
For my client, having her friend equate her depression to his experience of understandable but fleeting sadness, would be the same as me telling a war veteran that I understand the horrors of war because I've watched The Hurt Locker. This is not to say that this guy had bad intentions, on the contrary, he was genuinely trying to help as best he could. These solutions are viable for someone who's just feeling down in the dumps.
Depression is more than just being sad...
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Sadness is a feeling which is universal, depression is not.
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Sadness is a feeling that fades over time, depression is resilient and does not just disappear on it's own.
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Depression involves extended periods of feeling extremely low and disrupts your ability to fully enjoy life.
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Depression is not a choice, and it is not your fault.
Depression affects:
Your body - changes in appetite, headaches, body aches and pains, constantly feeling tired, a weakened immune system.
Your thoughts - feelings of inadequacy, extreme sadness, numbness, guilt, loneliness, lack of motivation, pessimistic, irritable, inability to focus, preoccupation with death or suicide.
Your behavior - decreased interest in things you once enjoyed, changes in sleep, decreased sex drive, social withdrawal, difficulty starting or finishing tasks, slowed speech.
Your relationships - with your partner, parents, children, siblings, friends, coworkers...
Group Details
This is a 12 week group designed to offer both education and emotional support to individuals struggling with depression. You will learn skills you can start implementing right away and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the nature of this disease. There will also be time allotted each week for members to share their personal experiences with the group. Participation is optional, we welcome those who just wish to listen as well.
When - Thursday evenings. Please contact me for exact times. Sessions are 1.5 hours each.
Where - 7545 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618
Who - Those struggling with depression and seeking support. Each group will have no more than 10 members.
Cost - $25.00/session or $250 one time payment.
How to get started - Please contact me for times and availability. We will meet individually first for a quick screening and to make sure this group is going to be right for you.
To check availability, or for any questions, please contact me at:
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(410) 924-2514