Recognizing Signs of Depression and What Could Help You Or Your Child - By InsideOut Counselling

What Depression Might Look Like

Depression isn’t just about feeling sad or having a bad day, it’s a mood disorder that deeply affects how you feel, think, and handle everyday life. It can creep in silently and show up in unexpected ways.

You might:

• Lose interest in things you used to love, like reading, socializing, or even your favorite meals.
  

• Feel exhausted even after a full night’s sleep, or struggle with insomnia.
  

• Notice changes in your weight without trying, either from a loss of appetite or emotional eating.
  

• Find it hard to concentrate, make decisions, or remember simple things.
  

• Feel hopeless, empty, or overwhelmed by guilt nearly every day.
  

• Have thoughts like “What’s the point?” or “Would anyone even notice if I wasn’t here?”
  

These aren’t just passing feelings, they may be signs of depression that deserve your attention and care.

Effective Support Through CBT

One proven way to address depression is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a structured, evidence-based approach that helps you change the thought patterns keeping you stuck.

Here’s what CBT might look like in practice:

• Initial assessment – Your therapist will take time to understand what you’re going through. You won’t be rushed or judged.
  

• Setting goals together – For example, if you’re struggling to get out of bed in the morning, you might work towards re-establishing a morning routine that feels manageable and positive.
  

• Challenging automatic thoughts – You might explore:
  

  • “Do I have proof that I always mess things up?”
    

  • “What would I say to a friend who felt this way?”
    

  • “What’s a more balanced way to look at this situation?”
    

Practical exercises You may be asked to track your moods, write reflections in a journal, or practice new coping strategies between sessions.

Research shows CBT is highly effective. In fact, a review of 115 studies (Gautam et al., 2020) found that CBT significantly reduces depression symptoms for many people.

But success depends on a few key things:

• Your willingness to engage and reflect on your thoughts and behaviors.
  

• A trusting relationship with your therapist.
  

• The right therapy model for you—and a skilled clinician who can guide that choice.
  

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

Depression thrives in isolation, but healing happens through connection. If you’re reading this and recognizing yourself in any part of it, consider this your sign to take that first step.

At Inside Out Counselling & Wellness, we’re here to support you with compassion and proven tools like CBT. We believe in working with you, not just for you, to help you feel more like yourself again.

We can converse in both English and Mandarin Chinese, so you don’t have to worry about any language barriers.

You don’t have to keep struggling in silence. Help is here. Start your journey toward wellness today by visiting: https://www.insideout-counsellingwellness.com/