Psychotherapy for Depression
Depression goes beyond simply feeling blue and can often seriously impact daily life when left untreated. Let us take a closer look at what it is and how it presents itself, types of treatment, and whether you might need a therapist for depression.
What is Depression?
As one of the most common mental health issues, depression affects around one in five people and often walks hand in hand with anxiety. For example, people with Generalised Anxiety Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder might also experience low moods and sadness; both markers of depression. Although that is not always the case and depression can be experienced in a number of different ways, it is believed that it can be attributed to difficult childhood experiences, leaving those of us with challenging pasts more vulnerable to developing depression later in life.
Sometimes, however, depression can be brought on by what is happening in the here and now. We face many present-day pressures and challenges of varying degrees such as disharmonious relationships, stress at work or the loss of a job, health issues, bereavement, or life simply not working out exactly the way we had planned, or wanted. Any one of these factors, or a combination of them, can be enough of a stressor to trigger an episode of depression or give way to a longer period of struggle that might include several depressive episodes. Whatever the cause or length of experienced depression, it is often helpful to start working with a therapist. A therapist for depression will help you explore and address the circumstances surrounding your distress. But first, let us identify the more common presenting depressive symptoms and traits.
Symptoms of Depression
It is important, first and foremost, to understand that depression is not something we can just snap out of, or that we are weak for feeling or suffering from. Mental health issues are clinical conditions that require treatment, just as any physical ailment requires medicine. Just like physical health conditions, depressive symptoms can vary in their severity, and they often involve the experience of one or more of the following:
Low mood and sadness
Irritability
Having little to no interest in anything, especially those things that used to bring us pleasure
Feeling tearful and/or guilt-ridden
Little enjoyment
Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
Moving or speaking slowly or being fidgety
A change in appetite
Aches and pains
Constipation
Low sex drive
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
Menstrual cycle changes
Low energy
Isolation from friends, family and social situations
Poor memory
Along with these feelings and changes, we might also experience other symptoms that are more specific to the various types of depressions. Let us take a closer look at these below.
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Types of Depression
Clinical Depression: This is the most common type of depression, identifiable by a persistent low mood that extends beyond just a few days. Alongside the symptoms listed above, therapists for depression have also found that patients experience a sense of loneliness and numbness, and feelings of anger. Being self-critical by thinking of yourself as worthless, for example, also is not out of the ordinary and experiencing a lack of confidence, concentration and assertiveness might also be present in those of us suffering from depression.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): People who experience SAD will feel much the same as those with clinical depression, but would tend to feel affected during certain seasons, most commonly when there is minimal sunlight, for example in autumn and winter.
Psychotic Depression: A more severe form of clinical depression, those suffering from psychotic depression tend to experience the general symptoms in their most extreme form. In addition, hallucinations and delusional thinking, including psychotic episodes - hearing or seeing things that are not there - can be present alongside thoughts of death and suicide.
Postnatal Depression: This form of depression goes beyond the very normal feelings of being a little tearful or anxious for the first fortnight or so after giving birth. These feelings tend to be more intense and to persist over a longer period of time, where we begin to feel other more profound symptoms of depression - such as struggling to focus or feel any enjoyment - alongside frightening thoughts often regarding our new-born. Struggling to bond with the baby is also a marker of postnatal depression and it is important to speak to a doctor or a therapist if any of these signs are present during the first year of parenthood.
Bipolar Disorder: Formerly known as manic depression, this condition is associated with severe mood swings that can take us from feeling very low, or depressed, to very high, or manic. Each one of these swings can last anywhere between days and months. During mania, we might feel extremely happy and awake. We might not feel like eating or sleeping. We will feel energetic and ambitious, which might seem positive, but we can also be affected by psychosis where we see and hear things that are not there and become convinced of things that are not true.
When do you need a therapist for depression?
We might all, at one time or another, have some trouble with low mood. It is when we become stuck in a loop of sadness that it might be time to find a therapist for depression who is able to help us navigate our way through these thoughts and feelings. Depression is not exclusive to adults either, so it is important to recognise when children are experiencing any number of the symptoms listed above, which can be brought on by family difficulties, bullying, any form of abuse (physical, emotional or sexual), or a family history of mental health issues.
Many people describe depression as a downward spiral, so regardless of where we think we are on that spiral - just beginning, somewhere in the middle, or at the proverbial ‘rock-bottom’ - it is important to realise depression is not something that simply goes away with time. It can be difficult for us to deal with depressive feelings and thoughts on our own, which makes reaching out to a therapist for depression even more important.
Depression therapy: Types of treatment
Unfortunately there is not just one fix for depression and to start a journey of recovery, we might have to implement a combination of therapy, medication and lifestyle changes. We will go into further detail of the types of therapy offered here at The Modern Psychotherapist in a moment, but it is important to understand it starts with an honest conversation about your thoughts, fears and goals, so that we can tailor our sessions to your very specific needs. I believe in putting my patients at the centre of the therapeutic and treatment plan, and in so doing I integrate the various techniques I am qualified in to suit your personality, your symptoms, and your goals. Here are the psychotherapeutic methods and techniques which might help begin the process of understanding, acknowledging, articulating and ultimately alleviating your symptoms.
Humanistic and Person-Centred Counselling: Counselling encourages in-depth experience and articulation of your challenges, thoughts and feelings. At The Modern Psychotherapist, depression therapy in central London and depression therapy in west London takes place in a safe, empathetic and non-judgemental space where you are supported in beginning the process of acknowledging, understanding and articulating distressing thoughts and feelings which you might have felt previously unable to share.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Psychodynamic therapy is built on the ideas of Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis, and aims to bring past experiences rooted in the unconscious into the conscious, where we are able to better understand them. In highlighting how those experiences might have created distressing behavioural patterns, we are able to understand them, and ultimately, change them.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: More simply known as CBT, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is based on the idea that thoughts drive feelings that drive behaviours. If we are caught in a constantly negative cycle, we might also start to experience more physical manifestations like tearfulness, sadness, loss of energy, sleep changes, and so on. CBT emphasises how a positive intervention and change to one of these areas will influence the others for the better, and in so doing, shift our cognitive, emotional, and behavioural patterns.
If you are ready to take the first step to get in touch with a therapist, I am a fully qualified (MAPsych, PGDipPsych) and registered (MBACP) integrative psychotherapist, servicing the following areas of Central and West London:
Depression Therapy Central London
Depression Therapy West London
I also have experience in helping clients with anxiety, stress, low-self esteem and low self-confidence, trauma, relationship and family dynamics, communication, anger management, and bereavement.
Common Questions:
How do I know if I need a therapist for depression?
Depression can affect any of us at any age, and from any circumstances. None of us are immune from feelings of depression. Recent studies have found that one in five of us might feel stuck in a loop of hopelessness, feeling helpless and sad. It is important for all of us to reach out if we have been experiencing any of the symptoms and signs for more than a few weeks.
Which therapeutic method will best suit me?
Depression, like a fingerprint or snowflake, is a unique experience. With depression therapy in Central London, as well as depression therapy in West London, The Modern Psychotherapist believes in, and practises, a client-centred and integrative approach, relying upon the intellectual, academic and research-led building blocks of Humanistic Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to begin the process of alleviating your symptoms.