Depression Counselling — How it Can be Helpful
At some point we can all feel sad, irritable or generally lacking interest in life. However, if these feelings persist for a few weeks or more, you may be suffering from depression.
Depression can be a serious mental health problem that does not go away on its own. This is where seeking depression counselling with us at Newcastle Psychologist & Counselling can help.
In this article we will discuss the reasons we believe counselling for depression should be considered, and also the types of therapies which are available.
Addressing the Depression — Is it Necessary?
Those suffering from depression or low mood may benefit from counselling. You may have read that certain forms of therapy (such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, or CBT) can help alleviate symptoms of depression. If depression persists, it may begin to impact your overall quality life, and in severe cases of depression, can lead to thoughts of harming yourself or even suicide. If this is the case, contact your doctor or your local NHS crisis team immediately.
With effective counselling, people can start to feel better from depression relatively quickly, even if they have suffered with it for a long time. The therapist or depression counsellor might explore different areas to help:
- Your general thinking patterns
- How you behave or respond to certain situations
- Your emotional needs that might be being neglected
- The triggers for the negative thoughts or depression
- The things which make you feel good or help you cope
By considering these issues, your counsellor, psychologist or therapist will be able to get to the root cause of the problem and begin to help you to feel better.
Treatment Options for Depression — Medication and/or Counselling
Medication
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) work by increasing the overall level of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in the brain. By increasing levels of this chemical (through blocking reuptake), medication can reduce the symptoms associated with depression.
Examples of this type of drug include Fluoxetine, Citalopram and Sertraline. Though effective, many people experience side-effects such as nausea, dizziness, upset stomach and sexual dysfunction. Relapse also tends to be significantly more likely when a person uses medication alone to manage their
Depression Counselling & Depression Focused Therapy (eg. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression)
Often depression is caused by or triggered by sudden life events such as loss of job, bereavement, or the break down of a relationship. Other people may have had difficult life experiences or trauma that has impacted on their mood.
Engaging in counselling and talking therapies can aid the recovery process through reprocessing the experience and coming to terms with what has happened. It is often difficult to talk to close friends or loved ones about the way you are feeling, so booking an appointment with a specialist (such as Specialist Depression Counselling Newcastle or Specialist Psychologists at Newcastle Psychologist & Counselling) can be beneficial.
Working with a depression counsellor or Specialist Psychologist can help you see certain situations in a more positive way, or offer more appropriate solutions depending on your circumstances.
Medication and Counselling Together
According to research and if considered helpful by your doctor, certain medication along with depression focused therapy or depression counselling can help bring relief.
Some people choose to take medication and have depression counselling together. With this, the medication can help to create some space in which the client can engage better with their psychologist or counsellor to change and work through the difficulties that are causing their depression.
If you feel that depression is affecting your life, getting in contact with our Depression Counselling Service at Newcastle Psychologist & Counselling and take the first step to improving your quality of life.
