It’s important to realise feeling down or low at times is a normal part of life. Sad and upsetting events happen to everyone but if you are feeling down on a regular basis, you could be suffering from depression. Depression is more common than you think with an estimated 3.8% of the world’s population affected, including 5% adults and 5.7% in adults over 60. That’s approximately 280 million people in the world. (WHO2021). Sadly, many people struggle with the condition on their own, for months or even years, before getting professional help. Depression can be effectively treated and it is important you take the first step in recognising you need help. You may be struggling with depression if you have:
Depressed or low mood
Anxiety
Decreased energy/fatigue
Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
Feelings of hopelessness/ worthlessness
More annoyed than usual
Crying more than usual
Indecisiveness / poor concentration
Difficulty sleeping, sleeping too much
Poor appetite or weight changes
Loss of interest in sex
Thoughts of death, suicide, self harm or suicide attempts
If you have been suffering with these symptoms every day for 2 weeks you may have depression and you need to seek help from a healthcare professional.
If you or anyone you know are considering suicide, have thoughts of death or are self harming please get help from a crisis healthcare team, a suicide prevention line or go to your nearest accident and emergency.
How I can help?
I work only with mild depression or alongside other healthcare professionals.
The traditional way to treat mild and moderate depression has been prescribed drugs, these often work in the short term. However drugs do nothing to address the underlying causes of depression and in recent years research shows one of the most successful ways to treat depression is to help the sufferer change the way they think about things. If they can see their situation in a different or more favourable light or in a kinder or less critical way we can change the way they think about themselves.
CognitiveBehavioural hypnotherapycan be very effective in changing not only how you think about your situation but how you act. As a practical goal oriented therapy we can work together to break the vicious cycles of negative thinking patterns, rumination and ‘poor self talk’. We can change those negative stories you tell yourself and build your confidence and self esteem.
CBT,ACT, coping skills training andbehavioural experimentscan all be used to challenge these underlying beliefs and installing of positive new one’s and help with physical symptoms such as diet, sleep and exercise.
I offer a free 20 minute consultation, if you have any questions or are still unsure how I can help please feel free to contact me via phone or email.
