Everyone is likely to have experienced episodes of low mood, feeling ‘down in the dumps’ or a bit sad. When these feelings extend over time and increase in intensity to the point at which a person’s normal feelings and activities are altered, it is likely that depression has set in. Depression is complex and presents differently in each person and can adversely affect family life, social life and work.
Depression usually develops relatively slowly but in many cases is an emotional consequence from experiencing a loss. Depending on the kind of loss experienced, depression could involve feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, constant sadness, tearfulness, emptiness. Other symptoms could include: extreme anxiety; tiredness; lack of motivation; indecisiveness; intolerance; isolation from friends and family; inability to enjoy anything.
Depression can exist as a mild, moderate or severe condition, the progression of which is likely to depend on the amount of time taken to reach the onset of recovery. That is, the longer the time that a person experiences the negative effects of depression the more severe the condition is likely to become. The consequence of severe depression is likely to involve the neglect of personal care and home; the neglect of work; the neglect of financial and other responsibilities. The danger is that if the severe symptoms and consequences persist and intensify over time, it is possible that an individual may consider suicide.
Drawing by Charlie Mackesy from http://www.facebook.com/Charliemackesyart
As is the case with all mental health issues the first step to recovery is usually achieved by talking to an understanding, non-judgemental and trustworthy person such as a friend, family member or someone from a counselling service. When supporting somebody suffering from depression, perhaps an initial strategy could include focussing on discussing and helping them to resolve each symptom in turn. In time this strategy should gradually turn the world view of the depressed person from a negative to a positive. At that point all the activities associated with good mental health, for example, taking up regular exercise; following a healthy diet plan; learning relaxation and breathing techniques; learning something new; being creative; joining a relevant support group, etc., could be suggested and acted upon.
However, most cases of moderate and severe depression would be treated with antidepressant medication, as would the specific types of depression such as postnatal depression and bipolar disorder. Medication is not always the necessary first step to take as it can have side-effects - insomnia, dry mouth, loss of libido etc which can add to the already distressed state an individual might be in. Always consult a health professional if you do decide to come off your medication so you do so gradually and safely. In addition to the medication treatment in severe cases, counselling and therapy sessions would also be required.
The road to recovery would need to help the individual re-engage with normal life and recover a positive outlook, as well as face and resolve those elements in life that originally caused the depression. In general, the more severe the depression, the longer the road to recovery. Recovery is often hampered by a person’s refusal to accept that they have a problem or, owing to the lack of motivation and the avoidance of social contact, the depressed individual does not seek or accept any help from any source.
Useful Websites
www.nhs.uk/conditions
www.mind.org.uk
www.samaritans.org.uk
Contact Heather Brand via her email: brandnewstepsforward@gmail.com for confidential life coaching sessions focussed on depression.