“I Feel Empty” -- 4-Easy Steps To Get Started With Depression Therapy Online

Updated December 09, 2019


Do you find yourself becoming more attracted to "I feel empty quotes lately? If you've noticed that you feel detached from things that used to interest you or think, "I feel empty inside," - you also may start to wonder, "Why do I feel empty"? Many people struggle with feelings of emptiness from time-to-time. However, when feelings of emptiness persist, and you're constantly thinking, "I feel empty and numb inside"- this is a sign of a bigger issue.

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Chronic worry and feelings of emptiness are both signs of a potential underlying mental health issue. Both symptoms are often present when issues like depression or anxiety are developing. It's important to monitor your symptoms and seek medical care to rule out the potential for a medical illness that may cause these symptoms and also for chronic mental health disorders.

In this article, we discuss common symptoms of depression and where to get treatment online.

What Depression Looks Like

If you're constantly saying to yourself "I feel empty and numb"- and nothing seems to help, it may be something more serious - like depression. Most times, depression creeps up (out of the blue) as you find that you've gone from feeling like you've had a "few bad days" - to suddenly realizing that lately, every day feels like a "bad day." People who suffer from depression seem to gradually lose interest in their favorite activities, pastimes, relationships, and careers.

People who are depressed suffer from a lack of energy and often have little interest in doing things that they used to do. They often suffer from feelings of worthlessness or guilt and experience periods of Cloudy or disoriented thinking. Key symptoms of depression are changes in eating patterns that affect weight changes.

Depression can result from overwhelming, stressful life circumstances and also because of a chemical imbalance in the pleasure centers of the brain. Treatments for depression include Cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Let's look at each of these treatments below.

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Psychotherapy - Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that focuses on reprogramming the brain by changing maladaptive beliefs. These non-productive beliefs are often incorrect and only reinforce the negative behavior they intend to prevent.

Medication - When medication management is recommended, psychiatrists and other medical doctors prescribe SSRIs and SNRIs to help manage the symptoms of depression. Medications for depression affect the brain by boosting the amount of "happy" chemicals in the brain.

What To Do If You Think You Have Depression

If you think you have depression, it's time to move beyond reading the "I feel empty quotes" and see a doctor. If you've been feeling symptoms that relate to depression for two weeks or more, consult with a medical or mental health professional to discuss your symptoms. In most cases, your medical provider will perform a complete checkup, including lab tests, to rule out symptoms of medical issues or other forms of mental illness.

After you see a doctor, see a psychiatrist, or ask your medical doctor for a psychological screening. Your provider will complete a series of psychological assessments to determine if your symptoms are in alignment with mental health-related disorders. Once a diagnosis is determined, the next step is to develop a treatment plan with a licensed therapist.

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If you're still trying to understand your symptoms, you can contact national organizations like the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health services agency that can provide you with referral and support options. They may refer you to sites or services that provide links to a "Why do I feel empty inside" quiz online or other similar resources that can help you get a better handle on your situation. If you're searching online for a "Why do I feel empty inside quiz" - and having no luck, try searching for the terms online mental health assessments instead.

Types Of Mental Health Providers

Many people are unaware of the different types of mental health care providers that are available. When many people think about mental health care providers, they think about psychiatrists. Psychiatrists are medical doctors that specialize in the treatment of mental illness. There are a few other categories of mental health providers listed below.

  1. Psychologists
  2. Marriage and Family Therapists
  3. Clinical Social Workers
  4. Professional Counselors

All four of the mental health professionals above are licensed and board-certified in their state of practice when they're found on sites like BetterHelp.com. BetterHelp is one of the leading therapy platforms that provide mental health seekers with access to thousands of mental health professionals online.

Chronic Mental Illness Statistics And Facts

With over 43 million Americans suffering from mental health issues annually, it comes as no surprise that more options for getting mental health care services are becoming available. This is especially true since the passing of the Mental Health Parity Act of 2008 that requires health insurance providers to provide equal access to affordable coverage for medical health and mental health care services.

The parity act makes it mandatory for employers with over fifty employees to provide health care options that include comparable mental health benefits. It also requires large employers and state-funded insurance plans to adhere to the standards imposed by the mental health parity act of 2008.

The benefits of the federal parity act of 2008 for mental health sufferers include providing mandatory provisions for behavioral health care services like counseling, online therapy, and other behavioral health services. The act makes it easier for people to gain access to insurance plans that cover their full range of wellness needs, including their mental health.

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Mental health advocates are bringing the importance of the impacts of mental health to the forefront of America. We are beginning to realize the impacts of early childhood abuse and compounding traumas that cause mental health issues like complex post-traumatic stress disorder. As such, high-tech options like online therapy are becoming popular for treating issues like chronic depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other non-severe cases.

Online therapy provides today's mental health sufferers with another avenue to receive much-needed services that would normally be out of their reach. Another benefit of online mental health platforms like BetterHelp.com is that they are affordable. Many people have shied away from the thought of getting therapy because of cost. Platforms like BetterHelp make it easy for people at all income levels to afford therapy.

Consider the national average of therapy costs, which is $65.00 - $200.00 per session. Services like BetterHelp offer weekly subscription-based therapy plans for a fraction of the cost of the national average. BetterHelp costs start between $40.00 - $70.00 a week and provide access to unlimited therapy options. Higher-priced in-office therapy sessions only provide one instance of service for the price.

Online therapy sites often provide the option of connecting with your therapist virtually whenever you and they are available online. Sometimes therapists and clients even exchange regular text messages to update each other on treatment plan progress, appointment updates, and answer questions that may come up in between sessions.

How To Get Started With Therapy Online In 4-Easy Steps

Getting started with therapy online is easy. The following are four steps to help you get started.

Step One. - The first step is to choose an online therapy platform like BetterHelp.com and register for an account. Most therapy sites offer an option for users to remain anonymous outside of providing an email address for session notes and emergency purposes.

Step Two. - Once you've registered for your online account, the next steps for you to take care to choose an online therapist licensed to practice in your state. You need a provider who licensed to practice in your state in case you need to get related services and support for continued care.

Step Three. - After you've chosen your provider, you'll choose your preferred method of attending therapy. BetterHelp offers therapy via SMS messaging, face-to-face video chat, audio chat, and via a secure private chat room. All sessions with your provider are confidential and processed through the provider's secure platform. They allow no one else to have access to your session information, including SMS messages and therapy notes, without your permission.

Step Four. - As your therapy sessions progress, you'll begin to notice changes in your life. These changes aren't because therapy is a magical cure-all for mental health issues, The changes are because you're learning how to accept your mental health issue as a medical illness and taking the right steps to get treatment and feel better.

Having good mental health is just as important as having good physical health. Both physical and mental health require proper maintenance and upkeep to keep your mind and body running smoothly on the track. Getting mental health services is nothing to be ashamed of. With over 43 million mental health sufferers in the US annually, you're not alone in making the smart decision to take control of your mental health - instead of leaving it to chance.

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Final Thoughts

Now that you know some reasons that may cause you to feel empty inside, what are your next steps? Are you going to continue to battle these symptoms alone or reach out for support from a licensed mental health professional that can help put you back on the right track? Feeling empty on the inside is often a sign of something much bigger (when the feeling persists for days, weeks, or months.)

If you find yourself falling into a spiral - especially one you can't seem to pull out of on your own, it's time to contact a professional for help. When you're ready to reach out for help and support, contact a BetterHelp.com therapy expert to get started and time of the day or night. You'll thank yourself later.

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