Depression
In
contrast to the normal emotional experiences of sadness, loss, or
passing mood states, depression is persistent and can interfere
significantly with an individual's ability to function.
Symptoms
of depression include sad mood, loss of interest or pleasure in
activities that were once enjoyed, change in appetite or weight,
difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, physical slowing or agitation,
energy loss, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt,
difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death
or suicide. Major depression often begins between ages 15-30 or even
earlier. Episodes typically recur.
Depression
can be devastating to all areas of a person's everyday life,
including family relationships, friendships, and the ability to work
or go to school. Many people still believe that the emotional
symptoms caused by depression are "not real," and that a
person should be able to shake off the symptoms if only he or she
were trying hard enough. Because of these inaccurate beliefs, people
with depression either may not recognise that they have a treatable
disorder or may be discouraged from seeking or staying on treatment
because of feelings of shame and stigma. Too often, depression leads
to suicide.
Most
people who see their GP for depression are prescribed antidepressant
medication. Medication can lift your mood and help with the symptoms
of depression but does not tackle underlying problems.
People
can become depressed for many reasons. You may have experienced a
high level of stress over a long period. You may feel overwhelmed by
the problems of life, such as bereavement. redundancy, or divorce.
Some people believe things about themselves or about life which
actually make them more vulnerable to depression.
How
you think largely determines the way that you feel. In depression
your thinking changes and becomes very negative. You might start
thinking 'I'm a failure, my life is hopeless, I'll never get better".
These
are very upsetting thoughts and produce feelings of hopelessness and
worthlessness. These thoughts and feelings may lead to changes in
your behaviour. For example, you may stop going out or doing things
that you used to enjoy. A vicious circle can easily develop in which
thoughts, feelings and behaviour push you further and further down
into depression.
Hypnotherapy
can assist those people suffering from Reactive Depression: the
depression resulting from a person's reactions to life experiences. Hypnotherapy
is not suitable for those suffering from Psychotic Disorders.
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