Depression
When we are depressed we feel overwhelmed and lacking energy and motivation, we feel tired and we don't sleep well. Everything feels like it’s too much trouble, we are listless and avoid socialising hiding ourselves away (often staying ‘under the duvet’ for days at a time). We struggle with feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem. We may feel guilty, irritable or angry (especially at ourselves) as well as sad.

It is common to use negative (black and white) thinking when you are depressed - you only see the extreme ends of the spectrum, something's either perfect or totally useless, there's nothing in between. At the same time people who have a low mood apply a negative filter which holds on to the negative information and dismisses or disregards other, more positive, information. I encourage my counselling clients to notice when they do this and to identify what automatic thoughts spring into their mind to promote this one-sided view. Together we work out how they can adapt and change the automatic thoughts to ones which give a wider, more balanced, picture through a process known as cognitive restructuring.

When I am counselling people with depression or symptoms of depression I initially help them to find some physical activities and encourage them to become more active. Increased levels of physical activity help to lift low mood. Sometimes, if they seem very socially isolated, I suggest they exercise their interpersonal skills as well (e.g. smiling and nodding to a stranger, saying hello to someone). These tasks also help to raise their mood and add to their self-confidence. At the same time we work together to explore the critical/negative thoughts they hold about themselves and the world in general.

Download my free leaflet on Understanding Depression here

Site last updated 08.01.10