Dealing with Depression

June 2020 | 4 mins to read

The causes and effects depression can have on your emotional and mental well-being.

What is Depression?

Depression is defined medically as a mood disorder. There are many possible causes of depression, such as GRIEF – STRESS, financial worries, home and work environments, addictions, traumatic events, families and intimate relationships. In the case of depression, it can become a problem when you start to withdraw from everyone and everything in your daily life. You can experience thoughts like, ‘I can’t be bothered with anything’, This can affect your self-esteem and confidence, leading to negative thoughts and feelings about yourself, where everything becomes magnified in your head. It can consist of periods where everything seems to be going well, and then suddenly, things seem to be all going, wrong again. Depression can continue throughout your life, lasting for various lengths of time, depending on what is triggering your emotions.

Most of us experience episodes of low mood or depressive feelings at one stage or another in our lifetime. It is essential to look after yourself and have proper self-care. Try sticking to daily routines, even when you are struggling, no matter how small. 

Avoid alcohol or mind alliterating substances where possible, as these can act as a depressant. Eat at regular times, exercise where possible to release endorphins, even if you walk around your garden. Meet up with friends or talk to them on the phone. Try to set one goal a day, no matter how small, this will help support you with low to moderate depression and contribute to shifting your mood.

If your low moods are extreme, lasting for many days, weeks or months at a time, and you are unable to function effectively, these are generally signs of depression.

In extreme cases, it can lead to thoughts of, ‘what is the point’. If left untreated, depression can spiral out of control and feelings may become worse. It is imperative when you realise that you are suffering from these feelings and thoughts, you seek support from friends, family and professionals.

How can depression affect me?

Physical: You may experience symptoms such as, anxiety, feel frustrated and angry, lack of energy, weight loss or gain, agitation, restlessness, and continual unease.

Thoughts and Feelings: You may lack focus, have difficulty concentrating, overthinking, have irrational thoughts and feelings, experience low self-esteem, have regular thoughts of harming yourself, guilt, shame and may leaving you feeling worthless. 

Behaviour: You may struggle doing simple everyday tasks, avoid seeing people that care about you, not go to work, sleep a lot, not be able to make decisions, self-medicate, and you may display controlling behaviours in order to feel contained.

How can TLC Counselling help me with my depression?

I can help when you are experiencing intense feelings of fear and worry, leading you to consistently overthinking and stopping you doing the things you enjoy.

Sometimes it may be easier for you to talk to a therapist than opening up to family and friends. It is essential to let the people closest to you know what is happening for you, but this does not mean you have to go into detail with them. I offer a neutral environment for you to be able to express your feelings freely without worrying about being judged. 

I have spent many years working with, children, young people, individuals and couples, helping them to explore their issues with depression. I aim to be there with you every step of the way, and I will not tell you what to do. However, I can guide you to explore the way you think and feel to support you in building your inner reliance to cope with your depression.

What is the structure of my therapy sessions, and how can this benefit me?

  • I will work with you to support you to feel ‘emotionally safe’ to open up and explore your own unique story. 
  • We will work out together your core triggers around depression and how they have manifested over the years/months and identify the impact this is having on your life.
  • I can support you to identify your reoccurring depressive thought patterns and behaviours that you are having. 
  • We will break these patterns you have bit by bit together to make sense of them to create changes in the way you see things.
  • I will work with you to improve how you are feeling about yourself by setting tasks between sessions.
  • I will support you by using key models, interventions, and techniques within the sessions to support your personal growth and development

What do I need to know about the counselling process?

  • We will meet for an initial consultation/assessment, and this allows you the opportunity to meet with me, to ensure you feel I am the right person for you. 
  • I will advise you of the confidentiality, data protection, and give you a counselling agreement to sign if you decide to go ahead with individual therapy.
  • I will gather some personal information from you, and we will identify the difficulties you are facing.
  • We will explore what your desired outcomes from counselling sessions.
  • Sessions last 50 minutes, and are mainly weekly, to begin with, they can move to fortnightly once you feel you need less support.

How do I make an appointment to get help for my depression?

‍‍Once you have made contact with me, I will respond to you within 24 hours, and I will ensure that you can access an initial appointment with me within two weeks of contacting me.

What if I have any more questions or queries about my depression?

If you would like any further information, or you are unsure about how I could support you, please feel free to give me a call. If you would prefer to e-mail me with any questions or queries that you may have, please do not hesitate, and I will get back to you within 24 hours.