Depression
What is Depression?
Depression is a common mental disorder that is estimated to impact up to 5.0% of adults globally. Those who suffer from depression experience persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Additionally, they may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Alongside the emotional impact that depression has on an individual, physical symptoms such as chronic pain or digestive issues may present.
There are a number of treatment options for depression including psychotherapy and medication. It is important to seek advice from your GP or a mental health professional to find the best treatment option if you are experiencing symptoms of depression or low mood. St. Martin’s has a team of professional therapists experienced in treating depression and other mental health conditions.
The Difference Between Sadness and Depression
Sadness is a natural emotion that everyone experiences throughout their lives. It is a common response to circumstances that cause emotional upset or pain and can be felt in varying degrees. Similar to other emotions like anger, sadness is usually only temporary. Feelings of sadness can often be alleviated after crying, venting, or talking out frustrations. In this sense, sadness differs from a mood disorder like depression, which can be more persistent and extend for periods of time.
Depression is a longer-term mental illness that, left untreated, may worsen or develop problems in everyday life. The symptoms of depression can severely impact daily life, causing health problems and creating difficulties at home and in the workplace. Whereas sadness can be overcome through the above-mentioned activities, depression often requires the support of mental health professionals.
Depression symptoms
poor concentration,
feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth
hopelessness about the future
thoughts about dying or suicide
disrupted sleep
changes in appetite or weight
feeling especially tired or low in energy.
a loss of interest in activities that the individual once found enjoyable
What are the causes of depression?
With depression, it’s not always apparent what the cause is, and for many, depression may be experienced for no specific reason. Depression may be caused by several factors or attributed to a significant life event. Common reasons for development of depression include:
Significant life events
Stressful events in life can exact a toll on us. Losing a job, experiencing family troubles, breakup, and divorce can have a major impact on mental health and significantly alter our mood, eventually leading to depression.
Bereavement
Losing a loved one is a difficult experience, and everyone experiences grief differently. For some, depression can develop when we have difficulties processing a loss and negative feelings build up.
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Childhood experiences linger in adult life, and physical or emotional abuse can lead to problems and depression later in life.
Life Circumstances
Life circumstances can cause many negative experiences such as loneliness and isolation, stress, and physical and emotional exhaustion. When things in life simply aren’t going well, feelings of anxiety and sadness may develop into depression.
Alcohol and Drugs
Excess consumption of alcohol and/or drug use can make an individual more susceptible to developing depression.
Types of depression
There are various types of depression that may impact an individual, along with varying degrees including mild depression, moderate depression, and severe depression.
Clinical Depression
Clinical depression is a mental health condition that describes one of the more severe forms of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. The Symptoms of clinical depression often cause noticeable issues in relationships with family members and others or in daily activities, including work, school or social life
Clinical depression impacts people of all ages, including children and adolescents. Improvements can be made through counselling and psychotherapy targeting depression treatment, antidepressant medications or a combination of both.
Antenatal and Postnatal Depression
Occasionally new mothers or partners can develop depression during or after pregnancy according to the NHS. Postnatal depression, also known as postpartum depression, impacts one in every ten women.
While it is normal for many parents to feel anxiety, low mood, or sadness for a short period after delivering a baby, if symptoms persist for over two weeks, this may be a sign of Postpartum or Postnatal depression according to the NHS.
There are no single causes of Postpartum depression, and there are various risk factors. Seek advice from a mental health professional or your GP if you think you may be affected by Postpartum depression.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition where an individual alternates between two radically different states – mania and depression.
Mania describes the state in which an individual experiences:
Elevated mood (either euphoric or irritable)
Increased energy
Decreased need and desire for sleep
Hyperactivity
In contrast, a person in a state of depression experiences the low feelings associated with typical depression.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression, is a form of depression that comes and goes with the changing of seasons. Typically, people with SAD experience symptoms of depression during the winter and autumn months.
The cause of SAD is not fully understood but is commonly linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter autumn and winter days.
Types of treatment for depression
Counselling and Psychotherapy
There are various forms of counselling and psychotherapy that aim to address negative thought patterns and behavioural patterns common to depression.
Individual sessions teach clients new skills for coping, building self-esteem, and challenging negative thought patterns, resulting in reduced symptoms and for many overcoming depression.
Counselling and psychotherapy provide a safe, confidential space for individuals to explore and discuss their depression. Professional counsellors and psychotherapists support you to find your own ways to cope with depression and suggest different strategies and self-care techniques.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an effective depression treatment that helps people identify and change unhealthy patterns of thought and/or behaviour contributing to depression or other mental health issues. A CBT therapist works with you to adopt new healthy thought and behaviour patterns which are closely related to each other.
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a form of talking therapy similar to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), but pays greater attention to the emotional and social aspects. This form of therapy was designed to help people cope with extreme or unstable emotions that cause emotions to be felt intensely.
‘Dialectical’ means trying to comprehend how two things that are seemingly opposite could both be true. To illustrate the concept, accepting yourself and changing your behaviour might feel contradictory.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
IPT helps people with depression by exploring and addressing relationship problems with family, partners and friends. Interpersonal therapy is based on the idea that unhealthy relationships can cause negative feelings like depression and anxiety.
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy can be used to treat depression and involves exploring the entire range of emotions. With the help of a professional Psychodynamic therapist, individuals discover how to talk about contradictory, troubling or threatening feelings. Additionally, psychodynamic therapists can help you explore repressed feelings or unconscious influences that may not have been recognised or acknowledged in the past.
Self-Help Guide for Depression
There are various things you can do on your own to treat your depression. Explore the guide below to learn the various strategies.