Lisa M. Quinn, M.F.T.

Depression and Loss

Most people feel a sense of loss and sadness during brief periods of their lives. For most, these feelings subside with no lingering effects. Sadness is a normal response to a loss of a job or financial status, children growing up and leaving the nest, not achieving a goal, divorce, or death of a loved one. Long periods of sadness can have a negative effect on the quality of life and cause relationship stress. Therapy is beneficial by helping an individual to process these feelings, understand the meaning of the loss and how to move forward in a positive way, finding new meaning and purpose in life.

For some individuals feelings of loss can develop into depression. Others develop depression without any clear sense of what is bothering them. They just don’t feel like their old self. They may find themselves withdrawing from family and friends. They may feel like the demands of their life are overwhelming. Some common symptoms are feeling sad, irritable, a sense of hopelessness, sleeping too much or insomnia, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, and crying.

Depression can have a strong impact on all aspects of one's life. It is common to blame oneself for one’s symptoms and therefore not seek treatment. Depression isn’t anyone’s fault. It is a highly treatable condition.

In therapy, we will address the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that fuel depression. Therapy is beneficial because it addresses the emotional, behavioral, and physical aspects of depression. An individual can gain greater self-awareness and self-acceptance. Individuals learn how to recognize negative self-talk (blaming oneself, hopelessness) and learn how to alter it into more supportive self-talk as it occurs. Therapy helps an individual make behavior changes that can help to alleviate depressed feelings and thoughts.

newport beach, costa mesa, irvine, huntington beach, laguna beach, newport, Corona del mar, orange county, oc