Depression has become a crucial mental health problem in the aftermath of the recent pandemic. According to a research brief published by the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide surged by 25% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s not surprising. We live in a world where it’s hard to find things to be happy about. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the ways you can get sick, lose friends and family members, or experience financial stress and loss of income.
The good news is that there are ways to help yourself cope with these feelings and prevent them from worsening. And one of those ways is through therapy.
Therapists are trained professionals who will listen to your concerns and provide you with tools to manage your symptoms, whether that means mindfulness exercises or medication. They’ll also help you work through any underlying issues that might be causing your depression.
If you have hit a query like “find a therapist near me” on Google, you’ve probably come across many mental health professionals who can help in such a situation. Before making the final choice, check online reviews and their area of expertise so that you get the right help.
Here are a few ways therapists can help you:
Therapists Are Trained to Deal With Depression and Anxiety
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on our mental health and well-being, but there is hope.
Therapists are trained to deal with depression and anxiety, and they are ready to help you find a way through this difficult time. They can help you identify the underlying causes of your depression and anxiety, as well as provide coping mechanisms that will help you manage it.
They can also provide support in other areas of your life, from finding a new job to handling conflict with friends and family members without letting it take over your life.
Whether you’re dealing with grief from losing loved ones during the pandemic or just feeling overwhelmed by the stress of everyday life, your therapist will be able to help you work through your feelings so that they don’t overwhelm you.
Nearly one-fourth of those who reported having anxiety or depression in the early April Household Pulse data from the U.S. Census Bureau said they “wanted counseling or treatment but did not obtain it.” That equates to 11.5% of all adults in the country.
Therapy Sessions Can Be an Outlet for Feelings of Isolation and Loneliness
Feeling isolated and lonely were some of the most common reactions to the pandemic, especially in the early days. In fact, the prevalence of loneliness increased by an average of roughly 5%, according to researchers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also increased feelings of isolation and loneliness, as many people have chosen to stay home rather than go out into public spaces where they could spread the virus. This means that even if you are part of a tight-knit community, you may feel more separated from them than usual because they aren’t physically around as much.
Therapy sessions can be an outlet for these feelings, providing you with a safe space where you can talk about how you’re feeling without judgment or fear of judgment.
Going to therapy sessions regularly helps you gain insight into your thoughts and feelings so that you can take action toward achieving your goals. Your therapist will also help guide you toward healthy coping strategies so that when times get tough again, you’ll know what steps to take next time around.
Therapy Can Help You Identify and Prioritize Your Goals
When we’re dealing with a pandemic-induced depression, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of things we need to do. And when we’re in the thick of it, our minds are often clouded by fear, sadness, anger, and other emotions that make it difficult to see clearly or even think straight.
It’s important to remember that there are things you can do to help yourself out of this state, and one of them is getting professional help from a therapist who can help you identify and prioritize your goals.
A trained professional will sit down with you and listen to what’s going on in your life right now: how long have you been feeling depressed? What symptoms are affecting you most? What are some potential solutions? They’ll ask questions like these so they can better understand how they can help you meet your goals during this time of crisis.
Then they’ll work with you on creating a plan for getting past this difficult time as quickly as possible and maybe even better than before.
Wrapping Up
Therapists are a great resource for dealing with the stress of pandemic-induced depression. They can help you make sense of your feelings, teach you how to manage them, and offer advice on how to avoid additional stressors in your life. If you’re struggling with pandemic-induced depression, reach out to a therapist today.