DEPRESSION COUNSELLING

ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION?

Do you feel persistently sad, empty or anxious? Do feelings of hopelessness and pessimism often take over your thoughts? Do you feel easily fatigued, low on energy or slow? Have you struggled with thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts? If so, you may be suffering from depression. At Select Psychology, our our team of depression counselling specialists offer a range of advice and support services in a confidential environment and a safe space.

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WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

All people can have their ups and downs, and you may feel low for many different reasons, but this does not always mean that you are suffering from depression. Clinical depression is a mood disorder that lasts longer and affects your ability to function on a day-to-day basis. It causes persistent sadness and loss of interest. It affects how you think, feel and behave and often leads to other physical and emotional problems. It can have an impact on all aspects of your life such as work, relationships and health. 

Symptoms of Depression

Should you be experiencing some or all of the following symptoms most of the time for two weeks or more, you should seek help:

  • Constantly feeling sad, hopeless
  • Disrupted sleep and fatigue
  • Poor appetite
  • Reduced concentration
  • Poor memory
  • Reduced libido
  • Reduction in day-to-day functioning, loss of motivation 
  • Stopping hobbies/reducing social contact

 WHEN TO SEEK TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION?

You should seek treatment when:

You isolate yourself from friends and family and often avoid social gatherings

You have reduced concentration, for instance you feel the need to reread something again and again in order to understand it

You do not wake up feeling well-rested even after sleeping all night

You are relying on unhelpful coping mechanisms like excessive use of drugs/alcohol to try and manage your thoughts

You experience a loss of interest in your hobbies and in doing things in general

You frequently have thoughts that make you feel sad and hopeless, as though life is not worth living

THE BEST THERAPIES FOR TREATING DEPRESSION

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Mindfulness based CBT

Interpersonal Therapy

Psychotherapy

BENEFITS OF THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION

Improvement in overall functioning and motivation

Identify the negative thought patterns that cause unhappiness and low mood

Learn methods of coping that help to maintain good mental health

Gain a more positive view of your self and the world around you

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP WITH DEPRESSION

If you are worried that you or someone you know is suffering, it is important to seek help as soon as you can. But here are some things you can do in the meantime while you wait for your first appointment:

Look after your overall health by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.

Keep a mood diary to track changes in mood and notice what activities make you feel better or worse.

Learn relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga or meditation

Avoid drugs or alcohol. Although these substances can offer short-term relief, in the long-term they only serve to worsen the symptoms of depression.

Focus on getting enough sleep; getting 7-9 hours of sleep will help to boost your energy levels and mood. Practice a night routine to help you settle and reduce your caffeine intake to help you sleep.

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HOW CAN OUR PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES HELP WITH DEPRESSION?

We offer a wide range of therapies to help with depression and give you the tools to cope and understand your emotions. We are a private mental health service with highly trained therapists and no waiting lists.

This is how therapy would work:

Step 1

Get in touch

The first step is recognising you have an issue and seeking help – BOOK A FREE TELEPHONE CONSULTATION and start the process by providing a space and time to share your needs with us.

Step 2

Telephone Consultation

You will be heard and understood through a confidential phone conversation. Often called the ‘triage’ this is where you can share more about your needs, and we can advise on therapy pathways and provide initial guidance where possible.

Step 3

Appointment Offer

We will match your needs with the best fit practitioner for your therapy pathway and offer you an appointment within two weeks.

Step 4

Initial Assessment

Before you begin a course of therapy, your therapist will need to conduct an assessment in order to agree a course of therapy with you that will best help you and address your goals. This is still part of the therapeutic process and will provide you with a better understanding of your difficulties and how you may start to approach them.

Step 5

Your Therapy

Following on from your assessment, you will move onto therapy. Appointments are 50 minutes – these can be anything from weekly to monthly, depending on your individual circumstances. The number of sessions required to feel better will depend on your needs and therapy plan, this can range between 8-16 sessions, but in general more time is needed to address more complex issues.

Step 6

Feeling Better

As you start to improve, you can agree on changes to the frequency of sessions as required. Ultimately, there will be a time when both you and your therapist agree that you no longer need to continue in active therapy

HELPFUL THINGS TO KNOW

How common is depression?

In England, 24% women and 13% of men are diagnosed with depression in their lifetime. Depression is the leading mental health problem in the world, followed by anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Depression often occurs alongside other mental health issues.

What to do if I think I am depressed?

You should seek help if you think you are depressed. You can begin by making an appointment with your GP and they can signpost you to support within the NHS. You can also contact private mental healthcare service providers, who are likely to have a shorter waiting time.

What are some of the causes of depression?

There is no specific cause of depression, it varies massively between individuals and is usually a combination of factors. Some common factors are:

  • If you have a family history of depression, it increases the risk of having depression
  • Any major life event or change such as moving a house, a relationship break-up or losing a job that has increased your stress and is a change from the norm
  • Experiencing bereavement; loss or grief may increase an individual’s risk of depression
  • If you are suffering from long term, life-threatening illnesses or brain injuries, you are more likely to be prone to depression
  • Substance abuse: Many drugs may relax an individual initially, but consistent use increases the chance of depression
  • Past experience of any form of abuse such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse
  • Social isolation due to being shunned from a social group or family
What is the difference between bipolar and unipolar depression?

Bipolar involves a cycle between manic and depressive states, whereas unipolar depression is being in a depressive state.

What happens if depression goes untreated?

Depression can have a massive impact on your physical health and mental wellbeing. Untreated depression can stay as unhelpful and unhealthy addictions such as alcohol/drug addiction; it can also affect the way you eat and sleep, as well as the way you feel about yourself.

How do I know what treatment is best for me?

The best and right treatment or therapist for depression can vary from person to person. Therapists typically complete an assessment and then agree on treatment with your direct involvement. 

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