Service Description

What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that can take many forms: some days you may find it impossible to get out of bed, while other days you may feel more able to go about your normal daily tasks. Living with depression can be incredibly difficult, both for those suffering and those around them. Due to the nature of the condition, however, seeking help can often be delayed.

Do I have depression?

For some, an obstacle to them seeking help is understanding whether or not they actually have depression. Before we go into the symptoms of depression, it's important to point out that if you are struggling with your emotions and feel unable to cope, it could be worth seeking support. You are worthy of help, no matter how trivial you may perceive your problems to be.

What does depression feel like?

If you have depression, you are likely to have at least five of the following symptoms.

You may feel:

• worthless
• like life isn’t worth living
• constantly anxious, tearful and worried
• like you can’t concentrate
• indecisive
• irritable and intolerant of others
• you are not getting enough enjoyment out of life
• you have a lack of self-esteem

You may experience:

• changes in sleeping patterns - broken nights or oversleeping
• changes in eating patterns - loss of appetite or overeating
• tiredness and a loss of energy
• persistent headaches and/or stomach upsets
• chronic pain

You may also:

• neglect hobbies and interests
• isolate yourself from friends and family
• take part in fewer social activities
• notice your productivity falling at work

Why do we become depressed?

Sometimes it’s instantly apparent what the cause is, but other times there isn’t an obvious reason why you feel so down. It could be that you’ve lost something or someone, or it could stem from disappointment or frustration. Usually, there will be more than one reason why you suffer from depression, and these reasons differ from person to person.

When to get help for depression

If you experience depression symptoms for most of the day, every day, for more than two weeks, you should seek help from your GP. If your feelings start affecting many parts of your life, this is a sign you may need professional support. The parts of your life that depression can have a negative impact on include, but are not limited to:

• relationships
• work
• interests
• an overall sense of happiness and enjoyment

Thoughts of suicide and self-harm are also warning signs that your condition is getting worse. If you experience these, you should look to seek professional support.

Depression counselling

Depression counselling is often recommended as a combination treatment plan. Talking therapy can help you identify, address and manage negative, self-defeating thoughts that may affect the way you behave with depression. The following types of counselling and psychotherapy have been proven effective in treating depression:

Depression treatment and support

Speaking to a professional, whether that's your GP or a counsellor, can help you understand what you need. This can range from self-help tips and breathing exercises, to psychotherapy and/or medication. Everyone is different and will need differing levels of support.

Depression is a treatable condition, even in its most severe form. A range of treatment options should be provided. The two most common forms offered are counselling and medication. These are often used in combination - particularly in more severe cases.