Depression
Depression is one of the most common problems people go to see a counsellor about. It affects almost everyone at some point in their life and most people manage to bounce back by themselves. However, sometimes it can be hard to shake it off and it’s at times like this that counselling can really help. It may be that you are depressed if, most days, you are:
• extremely unmotivated
• physically exhausted
• withdrawing from friends and family
• irritable
• having trouble sleeping properly or suffering from insomnia
• unable to enjoy things that normally make you happy
• experiencing feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• having thoughts of death or suicide
• unable to function normally
• finding it hard to think and concentrate on things
It is always important to see your doctor when things get this bad as medication may be advisable in some cases, but for many people, talking about their feelings and problems is a crucial part of feeling better and getting back on track. Some clients opt for counselling because they would rather not take anti-depressants; others find that medication plus counselling suits them. In either case, talking through issues with a friendly, supportive professional who understands what you are going through can be of great benefit.
There are a number of different approaches that can be effective in combatting depression. What works best really depends on the person. For some people, getting to the root cause of underlying feelings and exploring emotions is immensely liberating and restores their lost vitality. For others, depression is a consequence of repressed anger and abandoned feelings, which need to have their life before the person can move on. In other cases, there is grief work to be done before a return to healthy functioning and the condition of happiness that is actually our natural state. Sometimes, strategies from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are used to replace negative patterns of thinking with more positive and realistic thoughts. I use a range of techniques and approaches, tailored to the unique circumstances and needs of the individual. Too many people suffer from depression alone, for far too long and feel abandoned and helpless. If you are experiencing the symptoms of depression, you are certainly not alone, and you can do something about it.
• extremely unmotivated
• physically exhausted
• withdrawing from friends and family
• irritable
• having trouble sleeping properly or suffering from insomnia
• unable to enjoy things that normally make you happy
• experiencing feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• having thoughts of death or suicide
• unable to function normally
• finding it hard to think and concentrate on things
It is always important to see your doctor when things get this bad as medication may be advisable in some cases, but for many people, talking about their feelings and problems is a crucial part of feeling better and getting back on track. Some clients opt for counselling because they would rather not take anti-depressants; others find that medication plus counselling suits them. In either case, talking through issues with a friendly, supportive professional who understands what you are going through can be of great benefit.
There are a number of different approaches that can be effective in combatting depression. What works best really depends on the person. For some people, getting to the root cause of underlying feelings and exploring emotions is immensely liberating and restores their lost vitality. For others, depression is a consequence of repressed anger and abandoned feelings, which need to have their life before the person can move on. In other cases, there is grief work to be done before a return to healthy functioning and the condition of happiness that is actually our natural state. Sometimes, strategies from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are used to replace negative patterns of thinking with more positive and realistic thoughts. I use a range of techniques and approaches, tailored to the unique circumstances and needs of the individual. Too many people suffer from depression alone, for far too long and feel abandoned and helpless. If you are experiencing the symptoms of depression, you are certainly not alone, and you can do something about it.