Depression is a common condition that can cause serious difficulty with living. Though it is common to go through periods of feeling down, this is usually only temporary. This sadness could be due to a recent event like the loss of a loved one or job, or it could be a symptom of a more long-term problem like depression.
Depression is more than feeling unhappy or fed up. If you are depressed this low feeling can last for weeks or even months rather than just a few days.
Depression is a serious condition that can have a profound effect on every area of your life. You may lose interest in activities that used to bring you joy, feel hopeless and helpless, or even think about suicide. Depression can make it difficult to function at work or school and can even lead to physical problems.
Depression is a mood disorder that affects how you feel, think and behave. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and depression may make you feel as if life is not worth living.
Clinical depression, also called major depressive disorder, is a mental health condition characterised by a persistent low mood and loss of interest in activities.
Depression affects more than 264 million people of all ages around the world. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the most common cause of disabilities.
Depression is more common in women than men, and it often begins in the teens or early twenties. However, depression can happen at any age.
There is no single cause of depression. It can be triggered by a life event such as the loss of a job or the death of a loved one. It can also be the result of chemical changes in the brain, an imbalance of neurotransmitters (chemicals that relay messages between neurons).
Symptoms of depression can vary from mild to severe. If you are experiencing some of these symptoms for two weeks or more, you may be suffering from depression and should talk to your doctor.
There is no quick fix for depression, but we can find a treatment plan that works well for you. There are a number of effective treatments available including medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.
The first step in treating depression can be to determine the cause. If your depression is the result of an underlying medical condition, treating that condition can help relieve the symptoms of depression. However, depression can also often feel like there is no reason or cause and can be worked with by exploring the experience in a supportive space guided by your therapist. There can also be times where the underlying cause cannot be removed or managed. In these cases it is important to feel you have a safe space to talk through the experience. Your therapist can help you relieve symptoms and work with you through the experience by offering different techniques and ways of working.
Exploring the lived experience of depression, research suggests that a main factor central to the experience can be one's relationship with self, and with this come many of the shoulds and musts that can be tied to one's identity. Depression is often experienced as having no clear cause and people are often left not understanding why they are having such an experience. This can further lead to not wanting to share their circumstance with others as they can also feel others will not be able to understand. People can feel isolated and frustrated with their experience and close down to potential opportunities in life, further perpetuating what they are going through. Therefore, within treatment it is helpful to work with a therapist to understand the best approach for the type of depression you are experiencing.
One theory of depression is that it is caused by chemical changes in the brain that may require medication to restore balance. Antidepressant medications can take several weeks to work and may have side effects, however these lessen during the first few weeks and can be different for each medication. There is not only one type and you can try different ones until you find the one that is right for you.
This can be an effective treatment for depression. It can help you identify and change negative thinking and behaviour patterns, as well as understanding yourself and your situation and changing your relationship with what you are going through, relieving the experience of depression.
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing negative thought and behaviour patterns to improve mood.
IPT is another type of talk therapy that focuses on relationships and social support systems to treat depression.
This type of therapy for depression can use the therapeutic relationship to focus on concerns around identity, self, meaninglessness, and isolation among other existential concerns.
These can also help relieve the symptoms of depression. Exercise, a healthy diet and getting enough sleep are all important factors in managing depression.
If you are suffering from severe depression, it is important to seek treatment. Depression is a serious condition that can impact your life if left untreated. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please call the national suicide prevention lifeline or Samaritans, or seek help from a mental health professional. These thoughts can be common with depression.
If you are struggling with depression, it is important to seek professional help. There are many resources available to help you get the treatment you need.
We are here to help. Whether you are looking for support with depression, want to ask about appointment times, or just want to see whether therapy is right for you, reach out and we will take it from here.
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