DEPRESSION: what it is and how we can help

Depression is a common condition affecting around 1 in 10 men and 1 in 4 women at some point in their lives. More than just feeling sad and unhappy for a few days, it continuously interferes with your enjoyment of normal everyday life and can lead to other emotional and physical problems. The good news is that it is highly treatable and here at Fernwood we offer tailored therapy to help you feel like yourself again.

Depression risk factors

Depression is a complex condition and can be caused by a combination of social, psychological and physical factors. Some of the triggers could be:

• Stressful life events, such as redundancy, financial problems, illness, bereavement, divorce and other worries

• Having a baby. The hormonal changes before and after having a child, as well as significant lifestyle adjustment, can be a trigger for depression.

• Inherited traits. People with close relatives who experienced depression have a higher likelihood of having it themselves.

• Physical illness. Serious or chronic illness, such as cancer or diabetes, can be a risk factor.

• Alcohol or drug abuse.

Symptoms

You may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Low mood
• Reduction in energy
• Decrease in activity
• Loss of interest and pleasure in everyday activities
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Feeling tired, even after basic tasks
• Difficulty sleeping or waking up several hours earlier than usual
• Diminished or increased appetite
• Reduced self esteem and self confidence
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Weight loss or gain
• Suicidal thoughts or self harm

Treatment

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most widely used and effective treatment for depression. It is a talking therapy which aims to identify and challenge the negative thoughts and feelings in order to improve your state of mind. It also gives you a number of practical tools to use outside of the therapy room.

If appropriate, we also use other proven approaches, such as Interpersonal Psychotherapy, third wave CBT (such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. These have been shown to be particularly effective for people who tend to experience recurrent depression.

Regardless of the approach, our psychologists often use Motivational Interviewing to help you consider the process of change, recognising the challenges inherent within it.

We use a holistic approach to treating depression, looking at your overall wellbeing including diet and exercise alongside clinical work.

The number of sessions needed varies, but can be as few as 8 sessions for a mild to moderate depression. 

If you have any questions about how Fernwood can help you with depression, please contact us on info@fernwoodclinic.co.uk