Depression
What is depression?
Well its not just feeling sad or down, its a condition that effects the person both mentally and physically
We don’t treat the depression, we treat the person, depression is a symptom that may have been growing day by day, some times slowly over months or years, or it can start after a traumatic experience or strikes seemingly without warning.
Whatever your problem is entering into counselling for depression could help you find a new ways of thinking and feeling, with careful guided exploration of your emotional life, it can be possible to find new ways of living that will bring an end to the world of depression.
Some of the psychological symptoms of depression
* · Feelings of hopelessness
* · Low self-esteem
* · Tearfulness.
* · Feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
* · Short tempered with others.
* · Lack of motivation .
* · Lack of enjoyment.
* · Suicidal thoughts .
* · Feeling worried or anxious
* · Apathy
* · Loss of sex drive
* · Difficulty in making decisions
* · Isolation, reduced social activity.
Some of the physical symptoms of depression
* · Slowed movement or speech.
* · Lack of appetite or changes in weight
* · Bowel problems like constipation or diarrhoea
* · Unexplained aches and pains.
* · Lack of energy
* · Changes in sleep patterns.
* · Feeling constantly tired.
If your depressed you can some times still enjoy a sunrise or a funny moment, but the over all feelings are dampened by a suppressing feeling that smothers your moods, it can reduce your ability to think normally or react quickly, it can feel as if your sole is carrying a large lead weight and it takes so much emotion to move it that there’s none left for joy.
Depression robs you of you sleep and self worth, confidence withers away and inside you start to stagnate into emptiness, but that is just one interpretation, depression is a personal affliction, and there are many depths or levels that are felt at a time, no one is the same and depression is a very personal experience, you need to experience it to understand fully its life eroding pattern.
Body shut down
Some people say it feels as if their body has shut down, but in reality its the mind that has made it think that way, the mind has a powerful and influential power over our physical function, your body may feel slow and heavy but in fact its the depressive influence of the mind over your normal physical functions.
There are times when the mind needs to shut down, to heal or recover from the overwhelming pressure it has experienced, this time may feel like your mind is full of glue or your unable to sort thoughts and feelings, this can sometimes feel as if your unable to cope with simple tasks and start to hit your confidence or self esteem.
Wanting to get better has to be off set with allowing for some time, time to heal, time to rest, and time to adjust to your emediate needs, too much change or wanting to move forward before your ready can actually slow down recovery.
The mind and the body is intertwined in life, one effects the other, psychological problems lead to physical problems, the mind can help heal the physical self , the mind is where we live and find joy and love, it's also the place we find dark places and despair, depression effects the physical body and it's not just a mental state, when the mind suffers so does the body, people with depression lose co-ordination and speed, it effects the body’s ability to heal and fight off infection, the ability to digest food is lowered and digestive or bowel problems can be more common. The sense of touch and taste can also change, so it can have a deep effect on the ability to live life.
But the good news is it can be treated and many people recover from its grip and go on to lead a good life free of depression
We do not treat the depression, we treat the person, with counselling we could help the recovery or help your own understanding towards finding a way forward.
For some people depression is welcomed, it allows them to just shut down, to rest the thinking emotional mind for a while, to allow the mind to heal. You cannot force a person to recover they must want it, or see a way forward, it can take time and patience, but with the right kind of help at the right time progress can be made towards recovery.
There are physical problems that can make you depressed, such as Thyroid disease to find out if there could be a physical reason for your depression, your Doctor will be the best place to start, do not just sit in silence, suffering, see someone, even if its the local nurse or counsellor.
Therapy can and does help depression
DEPRESSION