Counselling for Depression

Depression Counselling When we lose a job, or experience the end of a relationship or the death of a loved one, it is natural to feel sad. If we are mentally healthy, we accept and learn to live with such losses over time. However, when sadness lingers for two weeks or more, and begins to disrupt regular life functioning, help may be needed.

Help for Depression

Depression is an illness suffered by millions around the world. The good news is that counselling for depression have been known to be effective for many people. In more severe cases, with the advice of a doctor, treatment may include anti-depressants in addition to therapy.

A referral from a medical professional is not necessary for counselling. Anyone who is motivated to feel better, can call a qualified and trained counsellor of their choice and begin work right away.

Recognise the symptoms of Depression

When we are depressed, we are affected mentally, physically, and emotionally. We feel a profound and pervasive sense of sadness that seems to linger for a long time, as well as a sense of worthlessness and helplessness. We may also feel extreme exhaustion or lethargy, and lose interest in activities that we used to find pleasure in.

Business man leaning on wall looking overwhelmed

When we are depressed, we are also easily distractible or irritable, and we may find ourselves struggling with sleepless nights. We may also experience either a loss of appetite or significant weight gain. We may also worry, and for some, quite severely, leading to the development of anxiety.

For some of us, depression is seasonal, and is most often felt especially bad during the winter months. We may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (read about Seasonal Affective Disorder here).

If left untreated, depression could lead to deterioration in relationships as loved ones fail to understand what has occurred, or how they could help. Family members may feel guilty as they wondered what they may have done to “cause” the depression. Those who are uninformed may ask the depressed one to “snap out of it”.

Work may also begin to suffer if we are not able to focus on the job at hand. Co-workers and supervisors may be unsympathetic, and the work place becomes an unpleasant place to be. As a result, productivity drops and our work suffers.

Read the American Psychological Association’s definition and guide for depression recovery.

If you suffer this sometimes debilitating experience, know that there is hope as help is becoming increasingly available to treat depression.

Can counselling help me with my depression?

Is treatment for depression effective? Yes. Depression can be treated with counselling. Counsellors trained to treat depression use different therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (read What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), and other types of therapies, to help depressed clients understand the root of their depression. Through talking, depressed individuals are encouraged to express feelings that they may have repressed, or not have had a chance to be expressed fully.

Your Innova counsellor may introduce a variety of coping techniques, in their treatment plan for your depression. They may also help you to draw up a plan with realistic goals that can bring about mental and emotional wellness. This plan may include identifying important relationships and what you could do to make healthy connections with others. It may also include reviewing relationships at work, how these may have affected you, and what you could do differently.

Treatment for depression may also include helping you to identify a support network of family and friends that could be there for you on a regular and reliable basis. You may also be asked to include in your goals, a variety of other activities that would complement therapy. For example, having a regular fitness routine or joining a community, could help you feel much better about yourself.

Man getting help through counselling from her male therapist.

Research has shown that counselling for depression helps to decrease its intensity, and reduce their recurrence. If you are feeling depressed, know that you do not have to suffer alone. Find a counsellor today in whom you could trust, begin the road to recovery and regain control of your life.