You feel close to a breakdown, stuck in depression and despair. So some days you overeat, have an extra glass of wine or two, or sleep too much just to avoid the suffering you’re going through.
In a quiet moment, you know you’ve been misused your whole life by the people around you. Meanwhile, you know you’re a sensitive, empathetic woman trying to thrive in a sometimes harsh world.
You don’t know that it’s not your fault, and that you’re not a victim. But you just don’t know how to stop taking on other people’s stuff.
So while you overachieve in your career and are accomplished in the external world, internally, you’re left with a lot of loneliness and feeling numb. The result is that sometimes you wish you just wouldn’t wake up.
Depression Symptoms
Depression can show up in a lot of different ways. Symptoms can begin with you feeling restless and unhappy without understanding why. Maybe you’re noticing that your energy isn’t what it used to be. Sometimes depression can be a bit tricky, sneaking up on you from behind. Your thinking can feel foggy or slow. And you’re so tired.
For a lot of people, it can feel like living in the pit of despair, struggling to just get through one more crappy day. Here are some ways that depression symptoms show up:
- can’t sleep, or sleeping too much
- feeling inadequate
- feeling hopeless
- feeling lost
- your mindset is that the glass is empty, and you don’t care that it is
- ruminating; having a hard time thinking about anything except how awful everything is
- eating too much, or too many bad things, or not having an appetite
- you just don’t much care about things that used to bring you joy or happiness or satisfaction
High-Functioning and Depressed
A very personal example is that I once loved someone who suffered from high-functioning depression. As much as we loved each other, I left the relationship. Not because of the depression, but because of his substance abuse issues and workaholism.
The truth is that many people who struggle with high-functioning depression can look pretty OK to outsiders. My then-husband had a very successful career and was able to show up for work every day, no matter what. No one else knew that he was
- chronically sleep-deprived,
- desperately unhappy and unsatisfied,
- constantly restless and anxious,
- and underneath all the success, depressed.
His coping skills included substance abuse, workaholism, and using food to numb out, all common ways people use to hide their suffering, even from themselves. When you’re suffering from high-functioning depression, you can go to school or work, taking care of your responsibilities, even make healthy choices like exercising and taking time off.
But.you.are.miserable inside. Your energetic heart is hurting.
And what’s so tragic about high-functioning depression is that most people who are struggling don’t even realize it. As was the case with my beloved, you’ve been living with it for at least a couple of years, if not most of your life.
He thought that how he was feeling was normal. And it was, for him. But it doesn’t have to be for you.
Depression Help in Santa Fe NM
I’m Melanie, a depression therapist in Santa Fe, and I understand your pain. When people begin working with me, they’re often depressed and sad, with a heavy dose of fear and anxiety. By the time they’ve finished, they feel and act like different people, in all the best ways.
First, based on your unique situation, needs, and desires, we’ll create a health and wellbeing program for you. This will be based on current neuroscience research as well as creative ideas based on your interests.
Then you’ll begin implementing new habits from your first session. 
Next, you’ll add new skills and realizations to the strategies you’ve already begun practicing in your daily life. All along the way, you’ll emphasize your strengths.
And if you don’t think you have any, we’ll start there. Because I’m here to tell you, yes you do.
Ideas for Making Peace With the Present
Another profound technique is learning to make peace with the present. This is a powerful way to reduce your suffering, and also helps you create more energetic space to do the work of healing.
For example, mindfulness exercises such as journaling, meditation, and walking in nature can help reduce sadness and increase your inner peace.
You’ll also explore what inner balance means for you. This allows you to establish healthy habits that support your wellbeing every week. I’ve found that a powerful way to do that is to take a step back from your day-to-day schedule and take a little time to check in with yourself and what’s true for you.
Other powerful techniques include self-awareness and self-compassion skills. These can help you learn new ways of seeing yourself, and where you fit into the larger patterns of loving, working, and living a rich, abundant life.
The Santa Fe Therapist Approach to Depression
Together, we’ll take a look at what’s going on in your life that can trigger or contribute to your feelings of sadness. And then, we’ll begin creating simple new habits to help you
- replace “I can’t sleep!” with “Oh, I feel great;”
- learn about radical acceptance and how it helps release the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm of depression;
- reduce ruminating and feeling inadequate with a fresh, new mindset;
- increase self-awareness, self-respect, and self-compassion.
I believe in balancing the science of therapy with the art of healing.
My compassionate, creative approach weaves together my ability to hear below the surface of the words, advanced degrees, years of specialized training, professional experience, and my personal experiences.
One of my specialities is giving women the tools to cope with intense emotions. I use the latest neuroscience findings, and combine Western systems, Eastern wisdom, gentle Earth-based practices, as well as creative, innovative ideas to help you feel better as quickly as possible.
Clients usually work with me once a week 8 to 12 months. As we work together, you’ll be getting tools for long-term success, and learning and using strategies and techniques that will serve you for many years.
You’ll work hard for sure. But it won’t all be horrible and terrible! I love sharing ideas about good books and films, and laughing together once in a while.
Most importantly, my hope for you is that you’ll feel safe every step of the way.
And please know that I welcome ongoing conversations about making therapy the best experience it can be for you.
The Santa Fe Therapist Offers Online Counseling in Santa Fe, NM and New Mexico
Online therapy helps high-functioning depressed women find the time away from day-to-day pressures to calm their nervous systems. It also makes it easy and convenient to process emotions and learn new neuroscience techniques to cope with challenges, heal the past, and begin building your future.
I strongly believe in the power of online counseling. Along with the research that proves its effectiveness, I see the positive benefits for clients every week. Click here if you’ve got questions about online therapy.
Online therapy for depression from anywhere in New Mexico, including Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Taos, Los Alamos, Pecos, Las Vegas, Tesuque and El Dorado.
What to do Now for Depression Help in Santa Fe, NM
You don’t have to suffer alone anymore. Please, send me an email, and let’s schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation: melanie@melanieharth.com, for help with depression and sadness you just can’t get past in Santa Fe, NM.
Other Services From The Santa Fe Therapist
The Santa Fe Therapist specializes in several areas of health, wellbeing, healing and recovery. We know that one size never fits all. Our services are individualized to each client, and are based on your values, your needs and desires, and your goals.
We offer individual adult counseling and guidance in Santa Fe NM for:
- dealing with overwhelming angst and despair
- anxiety help
- depression help
- emotional and spiritual healing
- processing grief
- overcoming low self-esteem
- learning how to make peace with the present
- PTSD and CPTSD/trauma
- helping you manage stress
