We all experience periods of feeling sad, gloomy or low, and we sometimes use the word depression to describe these temporary changes in mood. Depression, however, can be very different. Rather than lifting after a day or two, depressive feelings may persist for weeks or months and can have a significant impact on everyday life.
Depression can affect our thoughts, feelings, relationships, motivation and physical wellbeing. It may develop following a recognisable event or difficult period in our lives, or it can sometimes seem to appear without any obvious explanation.
How do I know if I am depressed?
Depression can involve persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt or irritability, together with a loss of interest or enjoyment in things that would normally matter to us. Motivation can become difficult, decision-making may feel overwhelming and everyday activities can require considerably more effort than usual.
Depression can also affect sleep, appetite, concentration, energy levels and relationships. Everyone's experience is different, and experiencing some of these difficulties does not by itself establish that someone has clinical depression. If symptoms are persistent or are significantly affecting your life, speaking to your GP or an appropriately qualified mental health professional can help you understand what you are experiencing and what support may be appropriate.
Understanding depression
Depression is sometimes misunderstood as something a person should simply be able to 'snap out of'. This greatly underestimates how debilitating depression can be and can contribute to people feeling ashamed or reluctant to seek support.
At the other extreme, depression can be viewed only as a biological or medical problem. Biological factors can play an important part, but depression may involve a complex interaction between many influences. Our relationships, experiences, circumstances, physical health and personal history can all be relevant. Medication can be helpful for some people, while psychological therapies provide an opportunity to understand and work with the emotional and psychological factors that may also be contributing.
How did I come to feel depressed?
The factors contributing to depression are individual to each person. They may include experiences from the past, difficulties in important relationships, pressures in the present and the ways in which we have learned to think and feel about ourselves.
Sometimes there is an identifiable trigger, such as bereavement, relationship difficulties, problems at work, illness or a significant life change. At other times there may be no obvious explanation and depression can seem to have appeared unexpectedly. Therapy provides an opportunity to explore these different influences and begin to make sense of how you have come to feel the way you do.
How can depression affect everyday life?
Depression can have a substantial effect on everyday life. Activities that previously felt straightforward may become difficult, while things that once provided pleasure or a sense of achievement may no longer feel worthwhile.
It can also affect relationships. We may withdraw from other people, become more irritable or find it difficult to explain how we are feeling. Problems with confidence and self-esteem can affect work and relationships further, sometimes creating a cycle in which the consequences of depression contribute to maintaining the depressed feelings.
How can psychotherapy help with depression?
When we are depressed it can be difficult to think clearly about what we are feeling or understand why our mood has changed. Sometimes there appears to be no reason at all for feeling the way we do.
Psychotherapy provides a space to explore thoughts, feelings, relationships and experiences that may be difficult to recognise or understand on our own. Gradually, connections can emerge between our present difficulties and other aspects of our lives. Developing this greater understanding can help identify patterns and difficulties that may be contributing to depression and open up possibilities for change.
Finding support for depression
You do not need to understand exactly why you feel depressed before seeking support. Therapy can begin with your experience as it is now and provide a confidential and supportive environment in which to explore what is happening at a pace that feels manageable.
The therapists at Hitchin Counselling & Psychology are professionally trained and work within the ethical standards of their respective professional bodies. We offer counselling, psychotherapy and psychological therapies from our practice in the centre of Hitchin.
Depression can affect people in many different ways, including:
- Loss of interest or enjoyment
- Reduced motivation and energy
- Persistent sadness or low mood
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Sleep difficulties
- Problems with concentration or decision-making
- Anger or irritability
- Relationship difficulties
- Low self-esteem
- Difficulty being assertive
- Problems at work
- Withdrawal from other people