How does counselling help depression?
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions in the UK, affecting one in six adults at any time. It’s natural to feel sad or down sometimes, and very often these feelings will pass, especially with a change in circumstances. However, if these feelings don’t go away, or you feel that they are progressively worsening, you could be suffering from depression. If you are struggling, talking to a counsellor for depression could help.
How do I know if I’m depressed?
This can be a tricky question to answer, as symptoms manifest differently in different people. Depression occurs when feelings of extreme sadness or despair last for at least two weeks or longer, and when these feelings begin to interfere with daily life. Other symptoms of depression include:
- continuous low mood or sadness
- feeling hopeless and helpless
- having low self-esteem
- feeling tearful
- feeling guilt-ridden
- feeling irritable and intolerant of others
- having no motivation or interest in things
- finding it difficult to make decisions
- not getting any enjoyment out of life
- feeling anxious or worried
- having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself
Physical symptoms of depression include:
- moving or speaking more slowly than usual
- changes in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased)
- constipation
- unexplained aches and pains
- lack of energy
- low sex drive (loss of libido)
- changes to your menstrual cycle
- disturbed sleep – for example, finding it difficult to fall asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning
What causes depression?
There is no single cause of depression and it can be triggered by many different events. Depression is very common following upsetting life events, such as bereavement, divorce, losing your job or serious illness.
How is depression treated?
Treatment for depression can involve a combination of self-help, talking therapies and medicines. Your mental health practitioner can help to guide you in the best direction.
Using a depression counsellor
A counsellor for depression utilises talking therapies to help people with depression. It’s their job to listen to their patients impartially, allowing them to freely explore their feelings. They can help patients to find ways to cope with what they’re going through, as well as suggest alternative strategies and self-care techniques.
Counselling for depression focuses more on present thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and how these things are affecting your life currently. Outside of your sessions, you may be asked to track your moods and feelings to gain a better overall view of your current mental health.
Your counsellor can help to pinpoint aspects of your life that are contributing to your depression and help you to understand how these can be improved. From there, they can help you to set realistic long- and short-term goals to enhance your mental and emotional well-being. A depression counsellor can also work with your family and friends to help support you through this difficult process.
Let’s talk about it
If you are feeling unhappy or suffering from depression, Diana Parkinson can help through talking therapies. Diana is an experienced counsellor ready to listen and work with you to help improve your happiness.
