Depression

Depression causes long-lasting changes in a person’s mood, behaviour and feelings. It is not possible to ‘pull yourself together’ and regular exercise or a good holiday will not fix the problem.

Symptoms

Feelings of profound sadness or irritability. Loss of sex drive and problems with sexual function. Sleep disturbance, feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness. Inability to concentrate Fatigue, loss of energy aches and pains.  Thoughts of suicide or death.

Causes

Depression often follows an experience of disappointment or loss, but it may come out of the blue, seemingly spontaneously.  Depression is very often accompanied by anxiety. The loss may be one of feeling devalued, or losing a sense of being loved or appreciated.  Depression can be linked to experiences in childhood, e.g. loss of a parent at a critical age in childhood. Early interactions between parents and child can lead to lack of trust. Depression later in life repeats much of the early experiences. A sense of loss leading to inner emptiness with anger and resentment turned often inwards, ‘It’s all my fault’, ' I am unworthy'. To escape from these painful feelings often depression is associated with excessive drinking or reliance on drugs.

How counselling can help

Depression is a very lonely place, a sense of isolation and emptiness is often unbearable together with blame ‘I’m unworthy’ creates a sense of hopelessness. counselling can help you to explore this darkness to provide clarity and understanding in order for you to see the light.