Depression

Do you suffer from Depression?

• Have you lost interest in things you used to enjoy?
• Do you find yourself in a negative frame of mind for most of the time?
• Do you feel tired all the time?
• Do you have difficulties concentrating?
• Do you have difficulties getting to sleep at night or do you wake up early in the morning feeling exhausted?
• Do you suffer from low self-esteem and/or a lack of confidence?
• Has your appetite changed, have you lost or gained weight?
• Do you have thoughts of death or suicide?

If you have answered yes to some or all of the above questions you may be suffering with depression

"Depression cannot be described any longer as a simple disorder of the brain" - UK Institute of Psychiatry

How common is it?

If you are experiencing any of the above, you are certainly not alone. Practically everyone feels 'depressed' at some point in their lives and, according to research, seven to twelve per cent of men suffer from diagnosable depression and twenty to twenty five per cent of women.

So what causes it?

The causes of depression are varied. It could be a reaction to a traumatic event, the death of your partner or job loss. It might be that it is difficult to ask for or get needs met in relationships. It may also be caused by a combination of stressful events both at work and at home.

One of the reasons that the percentage is higher for women is because of postnatal depression. Many women suffer from this shortly after giving birth and the symptoms are similar to those of other types of depression. Post natal depression can range from very mild baby blues which lasts a few days to a much more severe depression known as puerperal psychosis.

However it has been argued that men have tended to express their symptoms differently, for example, through the use of alcohol and drugs, and have been unwilling to admit to the symptoms of depression.

More recent studies have shown that depression does occur as often in men.

Treatment

It may seem to the sufferer that their situation is hopeless, and unfortunately this is backed up by the many myths about depression in our society. Statements such as, "it's a chemical imbalance in the brain" or "once you've got depression, you've got it for life." are not only unhelpful they are untrue. In fact all types of depression are highly treatable.

While everyone's experience is different, many people are finding counselling or psychotherapy the way forward.

The model of Counselling and Psychotherapy I use is called Transactional Analysis (T.A) and is used in many companies, schools, colleges and groups as well as clinically. Counselling and psychotherapy give you a chance, in a safe and supportive environment, to try out different ways of thinking, feeling or behaving rather than merely treating the symptoms of depression.

Get in touch!

For more information or a no obligation consultation please contact Judith Charlton on:

Opening hours are: 9am to 9.30pm Monday-Friday

Saturday 10am to 4.30pm

If you are experiencing suicidal feelings right now please call the Samaritans 24 hour help-line on 08457 90 90 90 (UK)