You may be experiencing depression if you feel disconnected from yourself or the people around you, have lost interest in things you used to enjoy, or find yourself feeling persistently sad, empty, hopeless, numb, or exhausted. Sometimes depression looks less like sadness and more like shutting down, withdrawing, struggling to get motivated, or simply feeling like everything takes more effort than it should.

Depression can have many contributing factors, including biology, life circumstances, grief and loss, chronic stress, trauma, and relationship or attachment experiences. Sometimes prolonged anxiety, overwhelm, or living in a constant state of stress can leave you feeling emotionally and physically depleted. Therapy can help you understand what may be contributing to what you’re experiencing, reconnect with yourself, and work toward feeling more engaged and hopeful in your life.