Depression

The word depression is often used when we are feeling sad, miserable or fed up. These feelings are normal reactions to life's ups and downs and struggles and will usually pass. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how you feel, think and behave. Depression is not a weakness, nor is it something that you can simply "snap out of" by "pulling yourself together".

If you experience some of the symptoms listed below each day for more than two weeks you may be suffering from depression.

• Feeling sad, anxious or bored
• Low energy, feeling tired or fatigued
• Under-sleeping or over-sleeping, waking frequently during the night
• Poor concentration, thinking slowed down
• Loss of interest in hobbies, family or social life
• Low self-esteem and feelings of guilt
• Aches and pains with no physical basis, e.g. chest, head or tummy pain  associated with anxiety or stress
• Loss of interest in living, thinking about death, suicidal thoughts (seek help immediately if this is the case)

The good news is depression is a treatable condition. It is important to get the help you need by consulting your GP or a medical professional so you can get the right diagnosis and treatment plan.

Counselling can help you explore underlying causes of your depression and it can help you get in touch with some of the unrecognised emotions that trigger your depression. As you explore these triggers and the behaviour patterns that result, you can begin to feel better and make some desired changes.