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One in seven of us in New Zealand will suffer from depression at some point in our lives. Most often, if it is not treated, it will return. Depression is very serious in the way it affects the sufferer and their friends and family. The symptoms affect the way we think about ourselves, how we feel and how we behave. There are different kinds and degrees of depression.
All depression can be worked with and either cured or decreased and managed significantly. Where it is chronic, psychotherapy and/or medication will likely need to be long in duration. Depression is a serious illness with biological, psychological and social aspects that affect its cause and symptoms.
These aspects are also involved in its treatment. For this reason it is important to get professional help so that it does not return or get worse.
THESE ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A MAJOR DEPRESSIVE EPISODE
Five or more of these symptoms are required to form this diagnosis and symptoms usually last for over two weeks:
01/ Depressed mood for most of the day (sad, empty), tearful (maybe irritable in young people)
02/ Little interest or pleasure in life
03/ Significant weight loss or gain
04/ Difficulty in sleeping or difficulties in staying awake
05/ Physically restless or physically under-active
06/ Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilty.
07/ Difficulty in concentrating or indecisive
08/ Recurring thoughts of death, or of suicide, or a suicide attempt
*(The above criteria have been taken from the ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’, 4th Edition – published by the American Psychiatric Association 1999)
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE EPISODES
If a person has two of more Major Depressive Episodes we would call this Major Depression.If a person suffers at least two of the above symptoms of a depressive episode (bar suicidal thoughts or attempts) for over two years, then it is likely they are suffering from Dysthymia.
This is a less severe form of depression, but serious in the lack of pleasure it produces and the effect it has on the functioning of the individual in everyday life.Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) is another form of depression characterised by the cycling of severe highs (manic moods) and then severe lows (depression).
These swings are exhausting for the person involved. The manic episodes often result in behaviour that the person later regrets and can put them and others at risk ie getting into fights due to grandiose behaviour; getting into debt due to gambling.
The embarrassment and regret then feeds their depression. The mania and the depression both need to be treated.Postnatal depression is another form of depression. One in five women in New Zealand will have depression in their life (compared to one in eight men).
About 1 in 7 of mothers experience postnatal depression and 1 in 10 father’s experience postnatal depression.
The symptoms are chronic (as above in those of a depressive episode) and more intense than ‘the baby blues’.
Postnatal depression usually occurs within the first 6 months of birth although sometimes it can occur later.
There are a variety of different reasons for this depression.
TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION
Talking therapy is an effective treatment for depression. Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy integrates cognitive behavioural, psychodynamic and relational therapies, giving you, the client, tools to treat your depression from a variety of angles, with the support of a certified clinician.
Treatment areas that will be important in the therapy are :
01/ Reframing negative thinking
02/ Recognising patterns that feed your depression
03/ Having insight into why you suffer from depression – psychologically and historically
04/ Knowing what triggers your depression, empowering you to avoid these
05/ Giving you an option, in addition to or other than, medication, which can have side effects and which does not go to the cause of the depression. Medication does not cause change, rather it can manage depression.
06/ Recognizing the importance of social support – the more good friends you have the more protected you are from depression. Psychotherapy is a place to reflect on the patterns of your relationships and improving their quality where needed.
07/ Setting healthy boundaries in relationships.
Saying ‘No’ is important in avoiding the risk of depression. Stress, and anxiety are often experienced intensely by people who suffer from depression.
Therapy can help you identify and validate the boundaries that are right for you.In order to cure or alter the degree of your depression so that it is manageable does require commitment to the therapy process.
I have worked successfully with clients with depression.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which we feel confident, consider ourselves valuable, and respect ourselves, and this greatly affects our well-being.
Self-esteem exists on a continuum, from high to low.
Low self-esteem is associated with self-doubt, self-criticism, social isolation, suppressed anger and shame.
Low self-esteem is also a symptom of several mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.
More on self-esteemRelationships
Relationships require work and are bound to face challenges large and small.
Simple, everyday stressors can strain an intimate relationship, and major sources of stress may threaten the stability of the relationship.
As long as each partner is willing to address the issue at hand and participate in developing a solution, most relationship problems are manageable, but when challenges are left unaddressed, tension mounts, poor habits develop, and the health and longevity of the relationship are in jeopardy.
More on Relationship Issuessadness and grief
Sadness is the most painful of our feelings. It slows us down which encourages us to ask important questions about what we have lost.
This requires our strength and in return develops our strength. Our grief enriches our memories of our loss and helps us be clear of what we value in life.
Knowing the experience of sadness engenders empathy and so helps create the precious bonds we form when we reach out to others or are reached ourselves.
If you or a loved one is struggling with loss and grief and would like to talk, make an appointment by phone, text or email.
More on sadness and griefAnxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people come to counselling and psychotherapy. Whilst we all experience anxiety in life, if the levels are continuously high, then you will need to take this seriously. High levels can damage your health and can affect many areas of your life – work, relationships, sexual relationships, friendships, sleeping patterns, self esteem and your physical health. Serious levels of anxiety show up in the form of:
01/ panic attacks
02/ phobias
03/ compulsions
04/ obsessive thinking
05/ debilitating worry
06/ avoidance of people/situations
07/ stomach ulcers
08/ eating disorders
09/ drug and alcohol issues
More on AnxietyDepression
One in seven of us in New Zealand will suffer from depression at some point in our lives. Most often, if it is not treated, it will return.
Depression is very serious in the way it affects the sufferer and their friends and family. The symptoms affect the way we think about ourselves, how we feel and how we behave. There are different kinds and degrees of depression.
All depression can be worked with and either cured or decreased and managed significantly. Where it is chronic, psychotherapy and/or medication will likely need to be long in duration.
Depression is a serious illness with biological, psychological and social aspects that affect its cause and symptoms.
These aspects are also involved in its treatment. For this reason it is important to get professional help so that it does not return or get worse.
More on depressionAggression and violence
Aggression and violence are terms that are often used interchangeably; however, there are some distinctions between them that should be noted:
01/ Violence is defined as a form of physical assault with intent to injure another person or destroy the property of others. The causes that lead to violence or why some individuals “value” violence may be related to social status, personal issues, or may be caused by institutional forces. Violence is found in many areas of life including the workplace, home, sports performances, and general public areas.
02/ Aggression can be generally defined as all behaviour intended to injure another person, psychologically or physically, or destroy another person’s property.
More on aggression and violenceABUSE: SEXUAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL
If you or someone you love is being abused or has been abused.
Psychotherapy is a safe space to begin to heal and empower yourself. Fear is often a dominating factor and there is often understandable difficulty in learning to trust people again.
Clients may suffer from flashbacks and nightmares, some times leading to post traumatic stress and exhaustion.
Everyone is unique and has unique experiences.
The most important thing I do is to listen to you and your experience and from this we then build a way to work together.
More on ABUSE: SEXUAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONALAnger
Anger is a common emotion meant to:
01/ Protect us from harm
02/ Help us get our needs met
03/ Prevent us from sinking into despair.
It is normal to experience anger. Sometimes anger is the appropriate response to the behaviour or thoughts of others or ourselves. Managed correctly, and kept in check, anger is an important ally for a healthy adult. However anger may arise but not be due to the present situation, but because the present situation reminds us unconsciously of a past experience. When this happens it can be risky, it can alienate others from us and can be very dangerous. Anger can become an habitual defence against feeling sadness or fear.
More on Anger
