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What is depression?
We all go through spells of feeling down but if this feeling persists for a prolonged period of time – weeks or months rather than a few days – then you may be suffering from depression. Depression is a serious mental health condition, not a sign of weakness or something that someone can just ‘snap out of’.
Depression can make you feel hopeless – but there is hope. Depression is very much treatable and with the right treatment, many people make a full recovery.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Depression can affect people in different ways and cause a variety of symptoms. Here is a list of some of the symptoms of depression:
- Continuous low mood or sadness
- Feeling hopeless or helpless
- Feeling tearful
- Feeling guilt-ridden
- Feeling irritable and intolerant of other people
- Having no motivation or interest in things
- Feeling indecisive
- Not getting enjoyment out of life
- Feeling anxious or worried
- Having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself
- Lack of energy or interest in sex
- Change in appetite
- Disturbed sleep (sleeping too much or sleeping too little)
This is not an exhaustive list as there are different levels of severity of depression (mild, moderate and severe) as well as different types of depression such as: seasonal affective disorder, bipolar disorder, postnatal depression and others.
If you think you are suffering from depression, contact your GP to discuss your symptoms.
Treatment for depression
A combination of antidepressant medication and therapy has been shown to be most effective for the treatment of depression.
When you contact the clinic, you’re likely to first meet with our Consultant Psychiatrist for a review of your medication needs – if this isn’t already being managed by your GP. You might decide that medication isn’t for you at this time in which case you’ll have an initial assessment with one of our psychologists. Following this meeting, there will be a recommendation as to which therapeutic approach best meets your needs. All of our psychologists are trained in the treatment of depression.
Frequently asked questions
When should I seek help for depression?
It’s important to seek help for depression if it’s beginning to interfere with your everyday life. You may find that you’re staying in bed for long periods of time, overwhelmed by negative thoughts about yourself, getting very tearful and unable to experience pleasure from activities that were once meaningful to you. These are all reasons to seek support so you can begin the road to recovery.
What are the most effective types of therapy for depression?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Compassion Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are generally the most effective therapeutic approaches for the treatment of depression.
Can I recover from depression?
Yes, you can absolutely recover from depression. Some people suffer from recurrent depression throughout their life. However, there are certain approaches that work to address the underlying beliefs you might have developed about yourself growing up which may be contributing to you being more prone to depression thereby decreasing the risk of relapse.
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