Depression
Depression is
one of the most frequent psychological illnesses to effect our communities
today. Research tells us that up to 70% of adults will at some point
experience depression to such a degree that it will affect their
life. It is said that up to 50% of those people who attend GP surgeries have
depressive symptoms and about 5% of these will go on to have serious
depressive illness.
In my private practice over the years I
have heard clients describe depression as “hell on
earth” so much pain and misery are they experiencing. No one really
can imagine what its like until it comes to their own door.
Depression
affects people differently and there are rarely two cases the same, the main
symptoms are-
Mood changes-Feelings
of persistent sadness, of being down in the dumps, hopelessness and
helplessness. Anxiety, irritability and agitation are common.
Cognitive changes-These
include, lack of concentration. Confused thinking, indecision and
forgetfulness. Thoughts become irrational & negative resulting in feelings
of low confidence and self esteem. There is very little joy to experience
and the past and present are littered with supposed mistakes and failure,
often there is little hope of things changing in the future!
Biological Changes-Sleep,
appetite, weight, sex drive can be affected and clients often complain of
aches and pains, fatigue and of slowness of thinking and movement.
Behavioural-These
symptoms affect the clients motivation to carry out activities due to lack
of interest and drive, and avoidance of work and social contact can play a
part. Life becomes one gigantic struggle with crying, overwhelming sadness
and crying common.
Psychotherapy-
Cognitive behavioural therapy has been the most
extensively evaluated therapy for mild to moderate depression, and
has been shown to be as effective as medication but superior to medication
in the prevention of relapse. For more serious depressive illnesses which
are chronic and have recurred over a number of years Schema Therapy is the
treatment of choice due to underlying characteristics in the clients
personality which make them prone and vulnerable to depression.
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