Depression

Whereas feeling sad or down from time to time is part of daily life, depression is a serious medical illness which negatively affects the way you feel, think and act. Depression can affect people at different stages in their life, even when to the outside world they appear to have little to feel sad about.

The chances are that if you are suffering from depression, you are already aware that ‘something is not right’.  Depression can cause you to suffer from a range of emotional and physical problems which can decrease your ability to function at both work and at home.

One of the key characteristics of depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is a feeling of overall sadness and a loss of interest in activities which you once enjoyed. Here is a complete list of common symptoms of depression, which can range from mild to severe:

• Feeling sad or having a consistently depressed mood
• Loss of interest/ pleasure in activities previously enjoyed
• Overall feelings of negativity
• Lack of motivation
• Appetite changes resulting in weight loss or gain, unrelated to dieting
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of energy or increased fatigue
• Increase in purposeless physical activity including hand-wringing or pacing
• Slowed movements or speech which is noticeable by others
• Feeling worthless
• Feeling guilty without reason
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Feeling disconnected from loved ones
• A sense that you can’t ‘snap out of it’
• A sense that you can’t cope
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression is nothing to be ashamed of; it is not a failing. Depression affects an estimated 1 in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year, 1 in 6 people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life. It is more than likely that you, or someone you know, has or has had depression at some point in their lives.

Depression is not something that you can fix on your own and you do not need to suffer in silence. Left untreated depression can last for years but with the right help and therapy it can be overcome, allowing you to move forward with a regained sense of positivity.

Our compassionate team of counsellors and therapists have years of experience and are here to help. Reach out and begin your journey into a brighter future.