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Depression

Counselling and Psychotherapy for Depression

What is Depression?

Depression is a common mood disorder with serious implications, for it causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, what you think, and how you manage to function within your daily life. It can be incredibly difficult and psychologically and physically debilitating. Your levels of motivation are affected, your sleep, appetite and work capabilities. The symptoms can also last for extended periods of time. We all have periods of feeling ‘down’, but when those feelings persist you may be depressed.

Recognising the symptoms of depression and reaching out for support is the first important step to reducing your suffering.

I had a black dog, his name was depression

Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms of depression?

  • Persistent sad, anxious, or empty feelings
  • Fatigue, decreased energy and decreased activity level
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and / or helplessness
  • Feelings of hopelessness and / or pessimism
  • Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
  • Irritability, anger, frustration or restlessness
  • Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
  • Overeating or appetite loss
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
  • Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
  • Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

It’s important to remember that this is not an exhaustive list, and depression affects everyone differently. If you can relate to a few of these symptoms which have occurred for a period of over two weeks and are preventing you from leading a normal life, it is important to be reviewed by a mental health professional. Furthermore, receiving treatment earlier can prevent it from becoming worse.

Depression as a vicious cycle

The physical, emotional and cognitive impact of depression can fuel each other in an exhausting cycle that can make you feel even more trapped and hopeless. For example, if you are feeling low in mood and sad, with a sense of hopelessness, you may not want to get out of bed or to physically move. This then causes a sense of lethargy, heaviness and slow movement. These physical symptoms can then cause feelings of low mood, sadness and tiredness and therefore you feel you can’t get out of bed. Therefore, the vicious cycle continues again.

Potential causes of depression

There can be a multitude of factors, which may make you vulnerable to suffering from depression:

  • A shift in your hormones such as giving birth, or experiencing the menopause
  • Limited support network and feeling isolated
  • Bereavement, grief and loss
  • Difficulties from the past such as trauma and / or abuse
  • Financial / Health problems
  • Relational difficulties
  • Family history of depression
  • An addiction such as alcohol or drugs or another addiction

How can counselling / psychotherapy help with depression?

Psychological therapy will enable you to understand your depression. The psychological approach will be tailored to your unique needs, in order to manage your symptoms appropriately and challenge the vicious cycle of depression. This will incorporate Integrative psychotherapy, Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is recommended by the NICE guidelines and the NHS.

The biggest step is acknowledging that you are struggling and require support. Reach out and arrange an initial 15-20 minutes consultation, to explore your difficulties. We can collaboratively work together to enable you to feel supported and psychologically better, so that you are not only able to experience reduced suffering, but a life with a feeling of hope and joy again.

If you are feeling suicidal…

These thoughts cannot be ignored – If you are in the depths of depression, it can feel that there is no end to what you are feeling, it can feel overwhelming and permanent. It is not, you must reach out for help. You are not alone and your symptoms are treatable.

Talking to someone: