Depression Therapy
Conditions
Depression
Depression is a mental health disorder that affects people in different ways. It can bring feelings from sadness to hopelessness, and it affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Some forms of depression can become so severe that they lead to physical symptoms or even self-harm.
What is Depression?
Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that once brought joy. It often involves changes in appetite, sleep patterns, or energy levels, leading to difficulties in daily functioning and a negative impact on overall well-being. At Dayrise Wellness, we strive to help with depression and anxiety by providing resources and support tailored to individual needs.
What Causes Depression
Depression is a complex mental health condition influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. While the exact causes may vary, understanding its development can help. Key elements include:
Biological Factors
Pyschological Factors
Environmental Factors
Co-occuring Conditions
Hormonal Changes
Genetics
How the Causes of Depression Differ by Age
The biological, psychological, and environmental factors above apply to everyone. What sets them off often depends on where you are in life.
Causes of depression in teens and young adults
Hormonal and Developmental Change: Puberty and brain development bring big shifts in mood and sleep.
School and Social Pressure: Grades, college plans, friendships, bullying, and the pull of social media comparison can wear down mood over time.
Identity and Belonging: Questions about who you are, where you fit, and how others see you can lead to isolation, especially when support at home feels out of reach.
Big Transitions: Starting high school, leaving for college, a first job, or a first breakup can strip away familiar routines and support.
Causes of depression in adults
Work Stress and Burnout: Long stretches of overwork, job loss, or feeling stuck can drain energy and meaning.
Loss and Grief: The death of a loved one, a divorce, or the end of a long relationship can open the door to depression.
Caregiving and Family Load: Parenting, supporting aging relatives, and carrying most of the household load can leave little time for yourself.
Health and Life Changes: Chronic illness, pain, postpartum changes, menopause, and retirement can all affect mood.
Isolation: Adult friendships often shrink with time and responsibility, and loneliness can deepen low mood.
Signs and Symptoms
Depression can be a silent battle at any age, in teens, young adults, and adults alike. It’s important to know and understand the different signs of depression so you can look out for them. Here are some more common ones:
- Persistent Sadness: Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or a generally low mood that last for an extended period, typically more than two weeks.
- Loss of Interest: A decreased interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable or meaningful to the individual.
- Changes in Appetite/Weight: Noticeable changes in appetite to the point that weight is gained or lost unrelated to dietary changes.
- Changes in Sleep Patterns: Disruptions in sleep, such as insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness and prolonged sleep).
- Lack of Energy/Fatigue: Persistent feelings of fatigue, low energy levels, or a general sense of being physically and mentally drained.
- Difficulty Concentrating: A general feeling of being unable to focus on tasks or think clearly.
- Feelings of Guilt or Worthlessness: Frequent self-critical thoughts, feelings of worthlessness, or an inability to forgive oneself.
- Restlessness or Agitation: An inability to sit still, feeling on edge or fidgety, often accompanied by a tendency to engage in purposeless activities.
- Changes in Behavior: Noticeable changes in behavioral patterns, such as increased self-isolation or avoidance of social situations.
- Suicidal Thoughts: Thoughts of self-harm or suicide expressed either explicitly or indirectly. Any mention of self-harm should be taken seriously and immediately addressed.
If you or someone you know are thinking about suicide, call 9-8-8 immediately or visit www.988lifeline.org/
Treatments Options
When treating depression, various approaches can be effective, and the choice of treatment depends on the individual’s needs and preferences. Here are some commonly utilized methods.
Therapy:
Participating in counseling or therapy sessions can help individuals gain insight into their feelings and behavior patterns, as well as learn new strategies for coping with difficult emotions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely recognized as a beneficial treatment for depression. CBT helps individuals identify negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Other types of therapy, like Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), may also be employed to address underlying issues or improve interpersonal relationships.
Medication:
Antidepressant medications may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms of depression. These medications work by balancing brain chemicals linked to mood regulation. A psychiatrist or medical professional can determine the most suitable medication and dosage for an individual’s specific needs.
Learn about different medications commonly used to treat depression from the National Library of Medicine
Lifestyle Changes:
Engaging in healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet, can help reduce symptoms of depression. Additionally, spending time with supportive friends and family members or participating in activities that bring joy can improve mood and overall well-being.
Support Groups:
Attending a support group for people dealing with depression can provide a sense of community and understanding. Connecting with others who have experienced similar challenges can offer valuable support, encouragement, and shared coping strategies.
Find support groups near you from Mental Health America
Types of Depression
There are different types of depression, and understanding each one can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment. Here are some of the most common types.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
MDD is a severe form of depression that affects all areas of an individual’s life including work and relationships. Symptoms must persist for at least two weeks to be considered clinically significant.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
PDD is a less severe type of depression in which symptoms persist for more than two years with intermittent periods of relief.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD is a type of depression that occurs during winter due to decreased natural sunlight exposure. Symptoms can include fatigue, low motivation, and difficulty concentrating.
Psychotic Depression
Psychotic depression is a more severe type of depression where the individual experiences delusions or hallucinations in addition to depressive symptoms.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is experienced by some new mothers following childbirth as a result of hormonal changes and dramatic lifestyle shifts.
Situational Depression
Situational depression is caused by a stressful life event such as a death, job loss, or major transition. Symptoms usually resolve after the situation has passed, but may persist if not addressed.
Learn more about different types of depression from the National Institute of Mental Health
How depression looks in teens and young adults
In adolescents and young adults, depression often shows up as sadness, irritability, and anger. Other common signs include:
- loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- low motivation
- trouble concentrating
- changes in appetite or sleep
- a lot of negative self-talk, and sometimes self-harming behavior
What contributes to depression in teens and young adults
- Development: a lot of identity searching happens at this age. Teens and young adults are working toward independence, going through emotional development, and are sensitive to peer acceptance.
- Biology: a family history of depression, hormonal changes (especially in adolescence), disrupted sleep, and changes in the brain systems that handle mood and stress as the brain keeps developing.
- Psychology: low self-esteem, perfectionism, rumination, feelings of hopelessness, and trouble regulating emotions, which can look like anger.
- Life circumstances: bullying, academic pressure from inside and from family, family conflict, trauma history, discrimination, social isolation, and relationship difficulties.
How depression looks in adults
Adults more often describe persistent sadness and a loss of pleasure in activities. Other signs include loss of energy, low motivation, changes in appetite or weight, sleep problems, and sometimes psychomotor agitation, which is physical restlessness. Many adults carry persistent guilt or feelings of worthlessness, and some have recurring thoughts of death or suicide.
What contributes to depression in adults
- Biology: genetics and family history, chronic medical conditions, sleep problems or sleep disorders, and substance use.
- Psychology: negative core beliefs, constant self-criticism, unresolved grief or trauma, chronic stress, perfectionism, rumination, and patterns of learned helplessness from childhood or from what a person saw at home.
- Environment: work stress, financial strain, caregiving for children or older parents, relationship difficulties, social isolation, unemployment, discrimination, and major transitions such as losing a family member or going through a divorce.
How we treat depression at Dayrise
Treatment is tailored to your age, your stage of development, and your clinical needs. Your therapist builds the plan around you. These are the tools our therapists use most often for depression.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps you challenge negative thought patterns, spot common thinking traps, and build more balanced perspectives. Learn more about CBT.
- Behavioral activation and routine. You learn how avoidance affects your mood and how it can turn into a pattern that hurts daily life. Then you build routines that move you back toward the things that matter.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills. You practice mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal skills.
- Psychoeducation. Your therapist helps you understand your symptoms, recognize warning signs, and strengthen coping skills, especially for riskier behaviors such as self-harm or thoughts of suicide.
- Care coordination. Our care coordinators are a go-to person for any question or follow-up. Your therapist also works with psychiatrists, caregivers, or school staff, depending on your age and needs.
Teens and adults get different support. Adults often take on practice to do at home between sessions. Therapy is shaped around what fits your age and development.
Common myths about depression
- Myth: depression is laziness. Low energy and motivation are symptoms of a health condition.
- Myth: depression always looks like sadness. It can also look like irritability, anger, loss of interest, or exhaustion.
- Myth: medication is a life sentence. Many people fear this when a medication is recommended. Your care team explains your options, and you decide together.
Psychoeducation clears up these beliefs. It reduces fear, shame, and guilt, explains why you feel the way you do, and replaces false stories with science-based information. We are glad to share research and take-home information.
When depression needs urgent help
Get immediate professional help if you or someone you love has:
- suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- self-harm that is escalating, more frequent, or more risky
- severe difficulty with basic self-care: not eating or drinking, or not attending school or work
- hallucinations, delusions, or confusion
- signs of mania or mixed moods, such as rapid highs and lows, or risky behavior during the highs
- increased substance use, or unsafe behavior while intoxicated
If you are thinking about hurting yourself, call or text 988 now, or call 911 in an emergency.
Co-authored and clinically reviewed by Cyndi Marquez, LPC, Clinical Therapist and Jami Aitken, LCSW, Director of Clinical Services. Last reviewed November 4, 2026.
What to Expect in Depression Therapy
Depression doesn’t always look like sadness. For teens, it often shows up as irritability or anger, not withdrawal, which is part of why it gets written off as “hormones” more often than it should. For adults, it can look like exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix, or losing interest in things that used to matter. Therapy at Dayrise starts by understanding your specific presentation, not applying a generic checklist.
Your first session is a conversation about what you’ve been noticing and for how long. From there, most people work with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, identifying the thought patterns feeding the depression and building more adaptive ones, alongside practical, achievable steps for the days everyday tasks feel too heavy to face.
Cyndi Marquez, a clinician at Dayrise, puts it this way: therapy is a collaborative journey, not a 60-minute fix. And progress with depression is never a straight line. A hard week after a good one doesn’t mean you’ve lost ground, healing isn’t linear, and every small win (getting up, keeping a routine, reaching back out to a friend) counts as real progress.
If you are in Lombard or Naperville, IL, our Lombard depression therapists and Naperville depression therapists are here to help, in person or online across Illinois.
The DayRise Path and Team’s Journey
The DayRise Path
There is no set length of time for depression treatment, it depends on your symptoms, your support system, and the work you put in between sessions. The DayRise Path gives that process a visible shape, so instead of wondering if anything is happening, you can see which stage you’re in and what comes next.
Progress with depression is gradual and rarely a straight line. A harder week doesn’t erase the ground you’ve gained. Getting out of bed consistently, returning to a dropped hobby, or being more social again all count as real, trackable progress.
The Team’s Journey
We look at each client as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms, so support isn’t limited to one therapist in one room. Depending on what’s needed, that can mean individual, group, or family therapy, a referral for a higher level of care, or a care coordinator connecting you to community resources.
Care coordinators are accessible to both clients and therapists throughout treatment, so if something outside the therapy room would help, whether that’s a resource, a referral, or just a question, there is always someone to reach out to.
Meet our depression therapists
These Dayrise clinicians treat depression. Select a name to read their full profile.
Depression FAQs
How do I know if my teen is depressed or just going through a phase?
If your teen has been exhibiting signs of depression for more than two weeks or the symptoms are interfering with their ability to function in everyday life, it may be time to talk to a mental health professional. Keep in mind that depression can manifest differently in adolescents and is often overlooked due to age-related behavior changes.
Is depression therapy only for teens and young adults?
No. Dayrise treats depression in people ages 12 and older, including teens, young adults, and adults. Your therapist builds your plan around your age, your goals, and the life you are living now.
How long does depression treatment typically last?
The duration of depression treatment varies depending on the individual and the severity of their condition. For some, treatment may only last a few weeks or months, while for others it could require several years of therapy and medication management. It’s important to remember that depression treatment is individualized and progress is monitored closely by healthcare professionals to ensure the best outcomes.
Should I be concerned if my child talks about death or suicide?
Absolutely. Any mention of death or suicide should be taken seriously and immediate action should be taken. If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, please call 9-8-8 immediately or visit http://www.988lifeline.org for more information and resources.
How can I help support a loved one with depression?
Supporting someone with depression can be difficult, but there are some supportive measures you can take. Encourage them to seek professional help, attend their appointments or sessions with them if possible, and make time for conversations. Offer practical support such as helping run errands or providing meals when needed. Lastly, try to remain positive and encouraging even when it feels like nothing is working; your support could be the catalyst for positive change.
How does depression look different in teens and adults?
Teens and young adults often show sadness, irritability, anger, loss of interest, and negative self-talk. Adults more often describe persistent sadness, loss of pleasure, low energy, guilt or worthlessness, and sleep or appetite changes.
Is depression just sadness?
No. Depression can also look like irritability, anger, exhaustion, loss of interest, trouble concentrating, and changes in sleep or appetite.
What is behavioral activation?
Behavioral activation is a treatment skill that shows how avoidance affects your mood. You build routines and plan activities that move you back toward what matters to you.
Does recommending medication mean I will be on it for life?
Many people fear this. Your care team explains your options and works with your prescriber, and you decide together.
When does depression need urgent help?
Get urgent help for suicidal thoughts or behaviors, escalating self-harm, being unable to care for yourself, hallucinations or confusion, signs of mania, or increased substance use. If you are in danger, call or text 988, or call 911.