Do I suffer from depression?
All of us experience low mood occasionally; we may feel sad, unmotivated, tearful following bad news or because of the fall out of a relationship. However, we can feel better after a while, when we find a solution, or we accept alternative ways to cope with difficult events. Depression (also known as major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression), instead, differs from typical mood fluctuations and everyday emotions.
Depression is a serious mood disorder and can have a profound impact on various aspects of our life, including on our relationships with family, friends, and the community. Its consequences can extend to problems at school and workplace, and can lead to feel excessive guilt, low self-worth, hopelessness about the future, and even that life is not worth living.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest, persistent fatigue or low energy, accompanied by specific physical and mental symptoms such as sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of helplessness, just to mention some of the symptoms. Symptoms can vary in intensity, duration, and origin, being linked to both external events and intrapersonal factors.
You may wonder if children and young people can experience depression. Yes, they can. Their depression is often triggered by challenging events such as parental separation, bereavement, difficulties in peer relationships or school-related problems. When children or young people suffer from depression, they may appear sad, disinterested, and lethargic or hyperactive, aggressive, and irritable. Depending on the age of the child, depression can manifest in different way, including difficulties in emotion regulation, and risky behaviours.
What are the causes and the risk factors?
The causes of depression are complex and multifactorial, involving genetic, biological (a personal or family history of depression), environmental, and psychological factors (e.g. major negative life changes, trauma, or stress) as risk factors for the development and maintenance of the condition.
Depression is not selective; it can affect anyone. Those who have experienced abuse, significant losses, or other stressful events are more susceptible.
What can help my depression?
Understanding the condition and finding an appropriate therapist are vital steps.
The treatment of depression may include psychotherapeutic and/or pharmacological approaches.
Various psychotherapeutic approaches, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), offer evidence-based strategies for managing depression. CBT, for example, aims to modify our negative thoughts, identify and change harmful beliefs about ourselves, the world, and the future. Changing negative automatic thoughts contributes to improving mood and promoting positive behaviours, thus breaking the depressive cycle. Simultaneously, the adoption of gradual changes in the patient's daily activities is encouraged, counteracting isolation and inactivity.
While not a cure, exercise can also alleviate depressive symptoms. Although it is not a replacement for professional help, a parent or caregiver's support is essential in a child's recovery.
If you think that you suffer from depression, you may wish to search for a professional opinion. At Mindscape, we will start offering support from a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms and a formulation of your distress.
You can schedule a no-cost 10-minute consultation to discuss your goals and discover how our support can make a meaningful difference. Please, fill out the contact form with your preferred call time and contact number, and a member of our team will reach out within 48 hours.
If you have been affected by anything in this blog please contact the Samaritans on 116 123.
Some useful links:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/depression/
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/childrens-mental-health/depression-anxiety-mental-health/
