Free Depression Help: Online Mental Health Counseling

Warning signs of depression can vary greatly from person to person, but treatment for depression in most cases usually involves drug therapy in conjunction with regular counseling help. If you have done some research into mental health disorders and have been affected by prolonged unexplained depressed feelings, taking the first step to seek a diagnosis can be an intimidating, and often frightening experience. If this is the case, online mental health counseling might be the preferred option to begin with, and for certain services, you can remain anonymous.

There are plenty of credible places online to research mental health disorders, and one thing you should look for when seeking mental health info is to take note of the website’s URL. Oftentimes, a website has lots of information on depression, for example, but it may be that the site looks overly commercial and doesn’t provide anything in the way of referrals to a licensed mental health counselor. These are sites that function for the sole purpose of hosting information and selling relevant advertising space, and it’s highly probable that the site owner knows nothing about mental health. There may be advertisements on the page which are handy if you want to buy a book or magazine subscription, and these in-your-face ads and links are the first indicators that the site exists purely for profit, and is not directly aimed at providing any health services for you.

Some credible sites for free information and referrals to licensed mental health practitioners include those with the .org or .gov in the web address. You should also look for your local hospital online; these websites will have links to other medical and non-medical professional services in your community. Most times you can locate a free call number for support services which are outside your area, but who can offer you helpful information and a referral to someone qualified if you request it.

While it is good to become educated about your mental health, it is not wise to diagnose yourself. Being depressed also means you might get a dual diagnosis from a doctor or clinical therapist, but one disorder can develop from another, and you will not be aware of this without the help of a mental health professional or a psychiatrist.

There are other valid reasons not to attempt a self diagnosis. Being depressed can often result in feelings of dread when you begin to notice symptoms after reading about them, when they were not present beforehand. This can happen very easily, and the end result is not only unpleasant, it’s possibly dangerous to your health if your condition is not monitored and treated accordingly. If a second disorder does exist that you don’t know anything about, it might require a different drug or form of therapy than the one you suspect you have.

Some general warning signs of depression are; prolonged feelings of sadness, lethargy, feelings of being helpless in almost all situations, negative thoughts that dominate your entire day, for weeks or possibly months on end, a complete lack of concentration is common, as well as being vague, having aches and pains that develop for no particular reason, feeling worthless, and losing interest in things you would ordinarily enjoy.

Your desire for sex will also be diminished; loss of libido is common for sufferers of many psychological disorders, and they can be a side effect of some medications. It is not uncommon for domestic problems to arise when a case of depression is in its infancy and remains undiagnosed, and separation or divorce is often the end result. This disinterest in sex can be taken as an insult by your partner if there is no other reasonable explanation for your mood or behavior. Lack of interest in sex is sometimes the catalyst for people seeking a diagnosis. Sadly, it can be too late to save a relationship, which then compounds the depression and could lead to other problems.

Services provided for mental health online are useful for the person who wishes to ask questions of a professional, and full therapy sessions can be booked and paid for directly from some websites. Mental health workers also conduct therapy sessions via phone or video live link in some cases, so this might help you to feel better before visiting a local psychologist for further treatment. Some people prefer this option to traditional face to face therapy, but whichever choice you make, getting help from appropriate sources should be a priority.

 The information in these articles is derived from personal experience, and prior training in hypnotherapy. It should not be used to replace professional medical care, treatments, and advice