What is Depression?
Depression is a common condition with both psychological and physical symptoms. We all feel low from time to time. However, if these feelings are interfering with your life and do not recede within a couple of weeks, or if they arise over and over again for a few days at a time, this may be a sign that you are experiencing depression.
Living with depression can be difficult, not only for sufferers but for those around them. It is a very treatable condition, yet many sufferers wait a long time before seeking help. This is especially true if they fear rejection or ridicule or are deprived of a sense of control. In its mildest form, depression can simply mean being in low spirits. This does not stop you from leading a normal life, but makes everything seem harder to do and feel less worthwhile. At worst, severe depression can be life-threatening and can make you feel suicidal.
Types of depression include:
- Mild depression
- Clinical depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Postnatal epression
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Common signs & symptoms
How you feel
- Down; upset; fearful
- Suicidal; urge to self-harm
- Restless, agitated or irritable
- Guilty, worthless and hard on yourself
- Empty and numb
- Isolated and unable to relate to other people
- Feeling no pleasure in life or the things you usually enjoy
- A sense of unreality
- No confidence or self esteem
- Hopelessness and despair
How you might behave
- Avoiding social events and activities
- Find it difficult to speak or think clearly
- Moving very slowly; being restless and agitated
- Loss of interest in sex
- Difficulty in remembering or concentrating
- Increased use of tobacco, alcohol or stimulants
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much. Feeling tired all of the time
- No appetite and losing weight; gaining weight
- Aches and pains with no obvious physical cause
Are you ready to book with Lorna
Contact MeHow Counselling Can Help Depression
Counselling can:
Help you to understand your condition
Help you define your wellbeing and explore your anxieties and fears
Help you to explore the obstacles than prevent you from being happy
Explore and make sense of past traumatic experiences
Separate your real personality from mood swings caused by your illness
Help you to identify the triggers that worsen your symptoms
Help you to achieve growth in relationships with family and friends
Help you to understand your choices and establish a stable, dependable routine
Help you to develop specific strategies for coping with distress
Help you to understand why things bother you and explore your options
Explore any destructive habits and find a better way of being
Offer a safe, non-judgmental environment in which to be yourself