Depression

Depression is an illness that involves the body and its thoughts and moods. It can alter the way a person sleeps (insomnia, disturbed sleep or oversleeping) and eats, how they feel about themselves and the way they think. Depression can affect up to 16% of men and 25% of women at some point in their lifetime.

Depression is not the same as a 'blue mood' and is not something that can 'wished away'. If a person suffers from depression, they are not able to 'pull themselves together'. If left untreated the illness can last for weeks or years. 

The DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders) states that the key criteria for diagnosing a clinical depression is that one of two elements must manifest itself for a duration of at least 2 weeks. These are:

1. Anhedonia - The loss of gratification or pleasure; the numbing of the joy of living; deriving no pleasure from usual life experiences e.g. social/ sexual interactions, sexual intercourse, eating, exercise etc.

2. Depressed Mood - Unhappiness, sadness etc. In addition these symptoms may also be present with 5 of the following over a period of at least 2 weeks:

• Changes in appetite - Loss of appetite, increase or decrease in weight.
• Low Energy - Feeling of being tired, fatigued, lack of energy.
• Concentration Problems - Unable to maintain focus, decision making, problems with memory and recall.
• Disrupted sleep patterns - Problems with achieving deep sleep/ REM, insomnia or excessive sleep (hypersomnia)
• Lack of pleasure - Unable to derive pleasure from daily activities and interest fatigue.
• Feelings of sadness/ fear / emptiness
• Recurrent thoughts of death, dying, suicide
• Fear of being abandoned or left
• Low self esteem - Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, loneliness, helplessness, anxiety.

Depression can be treated with psychotherapy, counselling & or drugs. Broadly counselling aims to provide some of the following solutions:

•  Provide problem solving
•  Emotional support
•  Analysing & altering thinking styles
•  Improving social skills
• Ensuring basic needs are met

The treatment of depression with drugs is most commonly the prescription of antidepressants, which actually treats the common symptom of depression, rather than the condition itself.

Whilst the relief that antidepressants can sometimes bring can be very welcome it is important to note that sufferers treated 'solely' with drugs have an 80% chance of having a subsequent major depression episode.

A growing body of research suggests the increasing use of anti depressants as the main tool to ease or help depression is questionable especially as a long term solution.

It is therefore important to find the correct mix of psychotherapy and counselling for your condition in tandem with drugs (if required).