Therapy for Depression
Depression, alongside anxiety, is a very common mental health problem. It can manifest itself in a variety of ways and in some cases can be extremely debilitating. Therapy for depression can help you explore the underlying causes, address current issues and develop coping mechanisms for overcoming depression and preventing it from recurring in future.
Depression can undermine your ability to work and enjoy a fulfilling life. It can also have a detrimental impact on your relationships. It is important to be able to recognise the symptoms of depression and to seek help.
Symptoms of depression
Depression can manifest in different ways. Sometimes we may experience intense feelings of sadness either ongoing or triggered by seemingly minor events. Often people tend to loose interest in doing things they normally enjoy. They may feel exhausted and have little energy to engage and socialise.
During the episodes of major depression a person may feel exhausted and lethargic to such an extent that it may be difficult to get out of bed, have a shower and get on with mundane life. Poor appetite or overeating can often be signs of depression.
Cognitive symptoms of depression include difficulties concentrating and processing information as well as memory problems.
People struggling with depression may feel increasingly irritable, unable to unwind and relax. Sleeping problems often go hand in hand with depression. Difficulty falling or staying asleep as well as sleeping much longer than usual may be indicators of depression.
When we are depressed we tend to withdraw within our own shell and feel very isolated. We may feel very alone, like nobody understands us, and we can be hurt easily even by casual remarks.
Therapy for depression can help you relieve the symptoms, identify the causes of depression and create better coping mechanisms.
Causes of depression
Depression can have multiple causes. Roughly they can be divided into two categories:
- The lack of something
- The excess of something
Among the things that may be lacking could be things that:
- provide emotional nourishment (e.g. love, care, meaningful relationships);
- ensure stability and security (e.g. home, job, money);
- promote physical health (e.g. healthy diet, physical activity, relaxation).
Things found in excess may include:
- stress (either work-related or home-related)
- worry and overthinking;
- demands on your time and energy.
Both lack and excess create a disbalance in our system and it becomes either depleted or overloaded. Both of these states preclude our system from functioning at the optimal level and this may lead to depression.
Therapy for depression
Counselling, especially in combination with mind-body therapy can be very helpful in treating depression without drugs. First of all, counselling helps you to overcome the feeling of isolation. Many people find it easier to communicate their feelings to a professional than to a friend or a family member who may judge you or be adversely affected. Finding understanding and support can both produce relief and give you more energy to deal with daily challenges.
Therapy for depression can help you explore and understand the nature and the roots of your depression from the comfort of your home. It may help you identify whether your depression is circumstantial (depending on the set of recent or current events) or has its origins in the past (for example, childhood trauma). Addressing the underlying causes of depression allows both to heal the old wounds and to create strategies and coping mechanisms for maintaining better mental health in future.
In certain cases antidepressants can also help regulate the chemical balance in our brain and facilitate recovery. Although treating depression without drugs is successful in many cases sometimes it is recommended to take antidepressants alongside counselling.
My approach: Mind-body treatment of depression
When I work with people struggling with depression I often use a variety of approaches and techniques. Each person is different and finding treatment that is effective for this particular individual is very important. Thus cognitive approach to treating depression facilitates greater awareness and understanding of different aspects of depression on the conscious level.
Sometimes, however, we need to access deeper strata of our psyche. Then mind-body techniques in combination with counselling prove to be very effective. Mind-body treatment of depression can help eliminate the long-lasting effects of past traumatic effects that can be stored in the body. It promotes relaxation and increases the sense of peace and calm. It can help unearth forgotten memories and heal them. It can also help reprogramme our brain and engrain different responses and coping mechanisms.
Don’t suffer alone. Get in touch and find out what can be done to help you overcome your depression and recover joy and interest in life.
