Counselling for Depression
We can all find ourselves feeling low at certain times in our lives. Depression is when you feel this way for weeks or months at a time.
Sometimes we may have ideas about why we feel this way, and other times it is a mystery to us. Counselling can help you in exploring this and can give you the opportunity to share how you are feeling with someone else, and work through it.
Depression is a common mental health problem, affecting about 1 in 10. You are not alone in what you are feeling.
“Anybody can become depressed,” says Jackie Rogers, an accredited counsellor in Burton-on-Trent. “It’s not a sign of weakness.”
What are the
symptoms of
Depression?
Depression affects people in a variety of different ways. It is not just about feeling sad. It can have an impact on your body, mood, behaviour and thoughts.
As well as low mood, depression symptoms can include feeling very tearful, irritable or angry, losing interest in things you previously enjoyed, or feeling tired and having less energy. You may also lose concentration, self-confidence, appetite, and motivation.
Depression can leave people feeling like they are isolated but at the same time wanting to hide away from others.
It can be common for people with depression to have symptoms of anxiety too.
What are the
causes of
Depression?
There is not one single cause of depression.
One reason for becoming depressed can be a change in your life, such as divorce, losing a job, or having a baby.
Disputes, arguments, or a breakdown in relationships can cause depression. Bereavement can trigger it too. Even lack of sunlight during the winter can be a factor.
Sometimes people who put their own needs last and give too much to others can be particularly susceptible to depression.
Sometimes there does not seem to be a particular reason.
How can
counselling
help?
A counsellor will listen to you without judging you.
They can help you explore your feelings, acknowledge them, and accept them.
They can also support you to find your own ways to cope with what you are going through, and suggest different strategies and self-care techniques.
Do not be too hard on yourself when you just feel completely drained and exhausted. The more you try to stop depression the more overwhelming it can feel.