Depression is a mood state that has a significant impact on an individual’s physical and mental well-being; It affects an individual’s mood, thoughts, feelings, behaviours and physical health. Depression is a manifestation of distorted thinking patterns; you feel things that you don’t wish to feel (Negative emotions) and you indulge in behaviours that are irrational and harmful in nature.  It has a ripple effect on your life. There is a variation of severity in depression. Sometimes depression can become very severe that some people feel the inability to function in major areas of their life which manifests the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

Depression can persist for a long period of time, remaining undiagnosed, as the symptoms a person experiences may not always include easily identifiable as being depression. Symptoms and signs of depression vary based upon the age, length of symptoms and individual’s temperament. It’s very important to remember that we all experience some of these symptoms from time to time, and it may not necessarily mean you're depressed. Correspondingly, not everyone who is experiencing depression will have all of these symptoms.

To be clinically diagnosed, the presence of 2-3 symptoms is necessary for at least 2 weeks. Here are the common symptoms that a person with depression might experience.

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Physical Symptoms:

 

• Fluctuations in weight- weight gain/loss

• Sleep Disturbances: Increased/ Decreased Sleep (Insomnia)

• Churning gut

• Unexplained aches and pain

• Chronic fatigue- Tired all the time-

• Loss

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Thoughts:

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• Self-criticism- “I am not good enough”, “I am a failure”, “I am worthless”, “It’s my fault”.

• Blaming the world- “Nothing good happens to me”, “Why people are so bad”

• Existential Crisis- “Life has no meaning”, “Life is not worth living”.

• Impaired memory and concentration

• Thoughts of death and suicide

• Lack of motivation

• Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness

• Negative thinking patterns

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Behavior:

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• Crying

• Isolating yourself

• Social Withdrawal

• Relying on alcohol and sedatives

• Lack of interest in daily activities which you used to enjoy

• Psychomotor disturbances- agitations and slow movements

 

Emotions:

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• Unwavering Sadness

• Guilt without any apparent reason

• Mood swings

• Overwhelmed all the time

• Persistent irritability

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How can counselling help in Depression?

 

Even the most severe cases of depression can be treated with a combination of self-care approaches, therapeutic interventions and medications.

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Counselling and therapy basically focus on:

• Identifying the negative thought patterns and replacing with the newer and healthy ones (Cognitive restructuring) and helping us reduce the indulgences in maladaptive behaviors. (Cognitive and Behavioral therapy)

• How we relate to others- friends, family and colleagues in a healthier manner. (Interpersonal Therapy)

• Helping us find a solution to our immediate problems and focus on future wellness rather than going in the past. (Solution Focus Therapy)

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Therapy would help you to help yourself in a better way and empower you as a person!

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