“The pain is unrelenting and what makes the condition intolerable is the foreknowledge that no remedy will come – not in a day, an hour, a month, or a minute. If there is mild relief one knows that it is only temporary…..One does not abandon, even briefly, one’s bed of nails, but is attached to it wherever one goes.” William Styron
What is depression?
Depression is regarded as the common cold of mental health. It is very prevalent; one in three of us will experience it at some point in their lives. It can range from mild to moderate to severe.
Depression can affect you in a number of ways:
- You may feel sad and low, lonely and isolated, lacking in motivation, anxious and irritated
- Your sleep, appetite, memory, sex drive, concentration, and energy levels may be affected
- You may have gloomy and pessimistic thoughts, including thoughts of suicicde. You may think that you will never feel well again or get back to normal
- You may withdraw from friends and family, cry a lot, find it difficult to go to work or stop doing the activities that previously gave you pleasure
So as you can see, depression can feel like hell!
What causes depression?
It can be caused by a number of different things such as life events including bereavement, the end of a relationship, and job loss. Certain physical illnesses and conditions can bring on depression. It may also be caused by early childhood experiences. Or there may be a genetic cause.
Sometimes depression can appear out of the blue without there being any identifiable reason.
The way we think and how we treat ourselves can also be a contributory factor.
Some people suffer from depressive symptoms during the winter months. This is known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). And some new mothers may experience Post Natal Depression after the birth of a baby. New fathers are not exempt either!
Whatever the reason, depression is a very treatable condition so there is no reason to suffer in silence!
How could depression and low mood counselling help you?
- Discovering and understanding the underlying causes
- Taking time to look at what depression is trying to tell you; what it means to you in your life and what you may need to change
- Exploring the thoughts, feelings and moods which contribute to your depression
- Learning new techniques and coping strategies to help you now and to prevent future relapses
- Looking at ways to treat yourself in a more compassionate manner, as depression can be caused, and exacerbated by, the harsh and critical way you treat, talk to and think about yourself.
If you’re tired of feeling low and depressed, why not call me today on 07970 860 711 to make an appointment?
Further reading on depression and low mood
Merritt, Stephanie. (2009) The Devil Within: A Memoir of Depression.
Styron, William. (2001) Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness.
Williams, Mark et al. (2007) The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness.
