Depression

What is it?

Depression is a common but serious mental health disorder characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. It goes beyond normal fluctuations in mood and can significantly impact a person's daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Depression is more than just feeling sad; it is a complex and multifaceted condition that can manifest in various ways.

What are the symptoms / What does it feel like?

Depression can show up slightly differently for everyone, some might still be able to go to work every day, while others find even the thought of getting out of bed to be too much. While it does look different on everyone, there are some common symptoms:

Persistent Sadness: Individuals with depression often experience a deep and pervasive feeling of sadness that lasts for weeks or months. This sadness is not necessarily linked to a specific event and may occur without an obvious trigger.
Loss of Interest and Pleasure: A hallmark of depression is the loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable. Hobbies, social interactions, and even basic daily tasks may become unappealing.
Changes in Sleep and Appetite: Depression can lead to disruptions in sleep patterns, resulting in either insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep). Similarly, appetite changes may lead to weight loss or weight gain.
Fatigue and Low Energy: People with depression often report feeling physically and mentally drained, even after minimal exertion. Everyday tasks can become overwhelming.
Difficulty Concentrating: Cognitive impairments are common in depression, leading to difficulties in concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things.
Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt: Individuals with depression may experience intense feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, even in situations where these feelings are unwarranted.
Psychomotor Agitation or Retardation: Some individuals may experience restlessness and increased activity levels, while others may show slowed movements and speech.
Suicidal Thoughts: In severe cases, depression can lead to thoughts of death or suicide. It's crucial to take such thoughts seriously and seek help immediately (please see help lines page).

Are there different types?

There are various types of depression, including:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Characterized by persistent depressive symptoms that interfere with daily life. To be diagnosed with MDD, symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): A milder but chronic form of depression where symptoms persist for at least two years.
Atypical depression: Also known as atypical depressive disorder, is a subtype of major depressive disorder (MDD) characterized by a distinct set of symptoms that differentiate it from typical depression. People with atypical depression may experience a unique pattern of mood-related symptoms that respond differently to certain treatments compared to other forms of depression. It's important to note that "atypical" in this context refers to the symptoms being different from the classic presentation of depression, rather than being uncommon.
Bipolar Disorder: Involves alternating periods of depression and mania (elevated mood and energy).
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression that occurs seasonally, often during the fall and winter months when there's less natural sunlight.
Postpartum Depression: Depression that occurs after childbirth and can affect both mothers and fathers.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): Severe depression and irritability that occur in the days before menstruation.

What are the treatment options?

Depression is a treatable condition. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Schema Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy have been shown to support recovery from depression in clinical trials. Often medications are explored with a GP if they are the right fit alongside therapeutic support.

What to expect at your appointment:

Your practitioner will want to understand more about how you’ve been feeling before and since you’ve noticed depressive symptoms. So, we can get a comprehensive understanding of what is causing you to feel this way, often we will ask a lot of questions and take notes as we go. Often the first one to three sessions are a combination of history taking, understanding what is going on now, and in the past, completing assessments, and setting goals. After that, the therapeutic process begins, and you can expect to start unpacking what has been on your mind and understanding the origins and how to manage it now using a range of therapeutic techniques and exercises.