Depression is described as being on a continuum from 'low mood' to 'major depressive disorder'. Symptoms may be as follows:
- Insomnia, restlessness
- Lack of concentrations
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Ruminating - persistent negative thoughts
- Lack of appetite or eating too much
- Irritiability, short-temperedness
- A sense of life not being worth living
Depression may develop as the result of a traumatic experience, often some time after the event. A client may be diagnosed with endogenous depression - this means that the client is genetically predisposed to depression. Sometimes depressions occurs as a secondary (comorbid) disorder following chronic anxiety. Depression is very common and anyone can develop the illness at any stage of life.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy can be very effective for depression, from mild symptoms through to major depression. What type of therapy is suitable for you may depend on how you work - some short term therapies may be effective for getting someone with mild depression functioning again, increasing activity and learning to overcome certain negative behaviours and thinking patterns. Other therapies can be useful for exploring the origins of your depression by talking through childhood memories and gaining a clearer understanding of what factors have influenced who you are today.
