Counselling for Depression, Aberdeen
Counselling Hub Aberdeen
“It’s so difficult to describe depression to someone who’s never been there, because it’s not sadness. I know sadness. Sadness is to cry and to feel. But it’s that cold absence of feeling - that really hollowed-out feeling.”
— JK Rowling
Depression.
Being depressed cannot be described as just a feeling. It is an illness that comes in many shapes and sizes and affects us all differently. It can negatively impact on our day to day living, its affects us emotionally, physically and psychologically.
Despite of what most of us think, we are not depressed just because we feel low or sad. To feel happiness or sadness is part of being a human. As thinking human beings, we are capable of an amazing array of feelings and emotions, yet most of us can only describe our emotions with a few adjectives, with happy, sad, angry, frustrated and anxious being our main descriptors of how we feel.
When we feel sad, this is exactly what we tell our friends and family. Yet often we still feel misunderstood. It is only when we allow ourselves to really look deep inside ourselves, we become more self-aware. Quite often, with the help of your therapist, you will discover that what you actually feel is a lot more than just sadness.
Signs, you may be depressed?
There are many symptoms of depression, but it is important to remember that feeling stress or having a low mood does not necessarily indicate that you are depressed. Experiencing some of the below over a long period of time (over a 2-3 week period constantly) could mean you are suffering from depression:
Low mood.
Disconnected from yourself and others.
Changing emotions and moods.
Feeling hopeless, empty or numb.
Being tearful.
No motivation or a loss of interest in things that made you happy before.
Suffering from a lack of energy.
Becoming irritable and angry very quickly.
Weight problems, unhealthy eating patterns.
Low sex drive.
Social withdrawal.
Problem with sleeping patterns.
In severe cases having suicidal thoughts.
If you feel suicidal or need emergency help, please speak to your GP. Or call ‘The Samaritans’ on 116 123.
Depression varies in severity
Mild depression can somewhat impact on your life.
Moderate depression has a considerable impact on your life.
Severe depression makes a normal daily life almost impossible.
Causes of depression
There can be a clear reason for depression such as childhood trauma, divorce or relationship problems, chronic illness, financial worries, or in today’s world, social isolation is quite common, especially given current world situations. However, many causes of depression are not so obvious, this may become clearer during your therapy.
6 Common Types of depression
Major Depression - most common type of depression.
Persistent Depressive disorder- long term form of depression (chronic), also known as dysthymia.
Bipolar disorder- experiencing mood swings from one extreme to another.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)- experiencing a low mood during winter season due to limited sunlight.
Perinatal Depression (Baby blues · Postnatal depression)- type of depression is experienced during or after the pregnancy.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)- experiencing an emotional roller coaster pre and during menstrual cycle. It can also affects women’s physical health.
Helpful tips for you at home…..
Get out for a walk. It doesn’t have to be a special place or a specific distance. It has been proven that any exercise is good not only for your body but your mind to. It might help you sleep better too. Fresh air is the best remedy for the mind and the body.
Get a good nights sleep. Turn of social media an hour before bed. Keep to a bedtime routine.
If you can, go out and meet up with your friends or a family member. Talk to them if you are struggling. Be honest about how you feel. Human connections are great for your psychological health.
Do something you enjoy doing, a hobby or a project. Take some time for you, practice self care.
Looking after yourself mentally and physically is great, but don’t forget your personal health. Hygiene is important not just for your health but for your mood too. Make sure you take a shower and get dressed everyday. Planning to get out for your daily walk can help with that. Start the day with a plan.
Try to avoid alcohol or drugs. These will only make you feel better for a little while and will often only mask the actual underlying issues.
You can try to keep a mood diary, or a journal. Tracking your moods and emotions will help you become emotionally aware. This can help you monitor your daily mood changes and will help you realise that you still have good days.
Focus on the positives as well. Negative thinking patterns will have a detrimental affect on our mental health. Try to be kind to your mind and to yourself.
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist"”
— Friedrich Nietzsche