Sep 25, 2024
According to the America’s Health Rankings (United Health Foundation), 19.4% of adults in Texas have been told they have a type of depression. This ranks them 14th in the U.S. for rates of depression. Despite this, 21% of adults with a mental illness in Texas do not receive therapy for it.
This article hopes to shed some light on depression—what it is, how to find help, and the stigmas that surround it—while sharing some helpful insight into how to find quality therapists in Texas.
What is depression?
Depression is a mental illness categorized by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5 (DSM 5), the handbook that therapists and psychiatrists use to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders, with around 21 million U.S. adults experiencing at least one major depressive episode at least once in their life.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sadness, feeling down, or a sense of emptiness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Significant changes in appetite and weight
- Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Fatigue and lack of energy, even with minimal exertion
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or excessive self-criticism
- Trouble concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
- Restlessness or irritability
- Physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, or chronic pain
- Withdrawal from social activities and decreased social interaction
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide, or suicidal ideation
This is not a complete list, and symptoms may vary from person to person. If you are in immediate danger from suicidal thoughts or plans, call 911.
Depression is common everywhere in the U.S., not just in Texas. Many people with depression don’t receive proper treatment because of the stigma.
What is the stigma surrounding mental health and depression?
A “stigma” is a perceived characteristic that is unbiased and untrue. Social stigmas around mental health, therapy, and depression can make it hard for people to seek therapy out of fear of social retribution or embarrassment.
Some social stigmas that surround depression and can make it hard for people to seek counseling include:
- “Depression isn’t real, just be happier.”
- “You’re not depressed, you’re just lazy.”
- “Being depressed makes you weak.”
- “Being depressed makes you a bad friend and relationship partner.”
- “You just need to take some medication and you’ll be fine.”
- “Just toughen up, everyone gets sad sometimes.”
Depression is not just being sad or tired, it’s a pervasive emptiness that can make it hard to function. It is a mental illness that affects how the brain behaves. If you’re struggling with depression in Texas, you deserve the chance to heal without the weight of social stigmas.
In order to dismantle these harmful stereotypes about depression, let's debunk some depression myths and set the facts straight.
Depression: Myth or Fact
The social stigma around depression therapy in Texas can prevent many from seeking help. To break that stigma we have to understand the truths about depression.
Here are four myths and facts you might not know about depression:
Myth: Hard work beats depression.
Fact: Depression is a mental illness caused by a mixture of brain chemistry, genetics, and life experiences. (Learn more about the causes of depression here.) It is not within someone’s control and just “getting over it” does not work.
Myth: Men don’t get depressed.
Fact: Men are less likely to be diagnosed with depression, but that isn’t because they don’t suffer from it. Men are less likely to seek help or acknowledge their depression because of the social stigma around it. Men have an expectation not to be weak or show their emotions, both of which depression is perceived to be.
Myth: The only cure for depression is antidepressants for life.
Fact: Most people fully recover from a depressive episode. While medication can be extremely helpful, especially for people with long-term or severe depression, you do not need to be on depression medication for the rest of your life. In fact, most people use a combination of medication and therapy to get better, and then slowly stop as they start to recover.
Myth: It’s normal to be sad all the time.
Fact: Depression is a mental illness, it isn’t normal. This myth is especially harmful for young adults and teenagers. The myths of “They’re a teenager; they’re never happy.” or “The early twenties are hard for everyone, you’re not special!” can prevent young people who are truly struggling from getting help. If you feel sad more days than not, frequently want to cry, feel empty inside, or have suicidal thoughts and ideations, reach out. It isn’t normal, but therapy can help.
Myth: Depressed people are just sad and cry all the time.
Fact: While sadness and increased crying can be symptoms of depression, it is the only way depression can present in people. In others, depression may look like social withdrawal, emotional numbness, dissociation, anger, or irritability (especially true in men).
There are many different ways to experience depression; there is no one true way. If you are struggling, the best thing you can do is reach out. Finding a good depression therapist in Texas can help you address your concerns and get on the path to healing.
How to Find Depression Therapy in Texas
It isn’t always easy finding a depression therapist in Texas. For one, over a million people live in an area of Texas that has a shortage of mental health care workers, so wait times are likely to be long or care cut short by absences. Also, dealing with insurance and finding a therapist in your price range can be a pain. Here are the best tips to find a depression therapist in Texas that fits your time schedule and your budget.
If you don’t have have insurance
In 2023 the Texas government increased mental health funding by a record $11.68 billion. This means that a number of state-sponsored mental health care clinics became available. This funding helped create more Local Mental Health Authority (LMHAs) that provide sliding scale or free outpatient mental health care. These clinics usually also offer Medicaid.
If you have insurance
Finding affordable depression therapy when you have insurance is easier. Most therapy sessions only cost between $30-$50 with insurance. To find a therapist that takes your insurance, you can:
- Call your insurance to find providers in network
- Use a therapist directory like Psychology Today
- Browse Lifebulb’s therapist directory. Lifebulb Counseling has over a hundred therapists you choose from, and we accept most major insurances (including Medicare).
Take your time finding a therapist you know you can trust and will feel comfortable around; this will help your first session go smoothly and reduce the likelihood of needing to switch therapists halfway through, a time-consuming and possibly expensive process.
(If you need to switch Lifebulb therapists, simply give our team a call. There’s no extra charge, session cost remains the same, and there’s no additional wait time.)
Depression is a very real and unfortunately quite common mental illness. If you need depression therapy in Texas, look no further than Lifebulb. We can call your insurance provider to verify your benefits, give you a good faith estimate as to the cost, and match you with the perfect therapist for your needs.
Ready to start living brighter today? Call our team or browse our Texas therapists near you.
