Adolescent Psychology - Karasick Psychology

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Depression

Finding light through darkness

When low mood becomes something more.

Depression is one of the most common and most misunderstood mental health conditions. It is not simply feeling sad or going through a difficult time — it is a clinical condition that affects how you think, feel, function and experience the world. Depression can make even the most ordinary tasks feel impossible and can quietly erode your sense of self, your relationships and your quality of life.

Depression does not always look the way people expect. It can present as persistent emptiness rather than sadness, as irritability rather than tears, as exhaustion rather than visible distress. Many people with depression continue to function — going to work, maintaining relationships, appearing fine to others — while privately struggling in ways that feel invisible and isolating.

At Karasick Psychology we provide thorough assessment and evidence-based treatment for depression across its many presentations — from a first episode to longstanding, treatment-resistant or recurrent depression.

Does this sound familiar?

Emotional & Cognitive

▪ Persistent low mood, emptiness or hopelessness

▪ Loss of interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed

▪ Feelings of worthlessness, guilt or self-blame

▪ Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions

▪ Negative thinking patterns that feel impossible to shift

▪ Thoughts of death or suicide

Physical & Behavioural

▪ Fatigue and loss of energy even after rest

▪ Changes in sleep — insomnia or sleeping too much

▪ Changes in appetite or weight

▪ Withdrawing from people and activities

▪ Irritability or restlessness

▪ Moving or speaking more slowly than usual

Depression Types

Depression presents differently depending on the type and individual.

Major Depressive Disorder

Depression and bipolar disorder frequently present with irritability and anger rather than — or alongside — sadness. Anger driven by mood disorders requires treatment of the underlying condition.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Emotional dysregulation and low frustration tolerance are hallmark features of ADHD. Anger in ADHD is often fast, intense and short-lived — and frequently misunderstood as a character flaw rather than a neurological pattern.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Unresolved trauma — including PTSD and complex trauma — commonly presents as hypervigilance, irritability and explosive anger. The nervous system remains in a state of threat response long after the original trauma has passed.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Chronic anxiety creates a state of physiological arousal that lowers the threshold for anger. When anxiety goes unaddressed anger is often the most visible result.

Postpartum Depression

Prolonged stress depletes emotional resources and reduces the capacity for regulation. Anger becomes a pressure valve for stress that has nowhere else to go.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

Anger is a natural and often overlooked component of grief. Unprocessed grief — including non-death losses such as relationship breakdown or job loss — frequently surfaces as chronic irritability or rage.

Treatment

Evidence-based care that addresses the root of depression.

Depression is highly treatable — and the right treatment makes a profound difference. At Karasick Psychology we provide evidence-based therapy tailored to your specific presentation, history and goals. We draw primarily from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which has the strongest evidence base for depression — addressing the thought patterns, behaviours and beliefs that maintain and deepen depressive episodes.

Biofeedback is integrated where appropriate to support nervous system regulation, improve sleep and build the physiological resilience that underpins emotional wellbeing. Treatment is collaborative and paced to you — with clear goals and regular review to ensure therapy is working.

Treatment begins with a thorough intake to understand the nature, history and impact of your depression. From there we work collaboratively to develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals. Most clients begin to notice meaningful improvement within 8-16 sessions though this varies depending on the nature and duration of depression.

A note on suicide

Thoughts of suicide or self-harm are a serious symptom of depression that deserve immediate attention. If you are having these thoughts please know that you are not alone and that help is available. Reach out to us directly or contact a crisis service in your area.

If you are in immediate danger please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

988 Suicide Crisis Helpline — call or text 988 — available 24/7 across Canada in English and French

Distress Centre Calgary — call 403-266-4357 — 24/7 crisis support, counselling and referrals

Distress Line Edmonton — call 780-482-4357 — 24/7 crisis support

Alberta Mental Health Help Line — call 1-877-303-2642 — confidential crisis intervention and information

Kids Help Phone — call or text 1-800-668-6868 — 24/7 support for youth under 22

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line — call 1-855-242-3310 — culturally competent support 24/7

You are not alone

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Reaching out for therapy is hard, but struggling alone is harder. Contact us to learn how we can support your path toward healing, development, and lasting improvement.