Could You Identify the Symptoms of Depression? | Private Therapy London

Depression Awareness

Statistics have shown that mental health issues are very common in the general population, yet only one in eight adults with a mental health issue are currently receiving treatment. Furthermore, major depression is one of the most common disorders to occur in the field of mental health, yet we still see so many people suffering in silence and failing to seek treatment. Why?

Many individuals put off seeking treatment for months or even years due to perceived social and professional stigma. One may worry that if they are open with what they are experiencing, a romantic or sexual partner will leave them, their friends won’t understand, or perhaps their family may judge them or feel disappointed. Some have argued that depression awareness campaigns are particularly useful in school or university settings, as young people are often the most prone to repeated and frequent bouts of depression before they have developed the coping or learning skills to handle the symptoms.

Help is available. There are ample resources for private therapy in London, and many mental health professionals in London practice cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is a treatment regimen that allows individuals, through working with a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, to identify distorted thinking patterns that often occur in instances of anxiety or depression. CBT therapists also work with the patient to implement lifestyle changes that will assist in returning mood to a stable state, such as setting healthier sleep patterns and engaging in better self-care.

It is important to be aware of the symptoms of depression for ourselves and others, and also to be aware of where we can go for help. If you or anyone you know is demonstrating the following symptoms:

• Significant feelings of sadness
• Feeling hopeless or helpless
• Having difficulty getting things done
• Having a lack of interest in things you used to enjoy
• Thoughts of hurting yourself
• Sleep disturbances
• A decrease in self-care or hygiene, such as failing to shower, eat properly, etc.
• Avoiding interactions with others

Then it may be time to reach out for help and to talk to someone you trust. The importance of recognising symptoms of depression in yourself or others could literally save lives. If you find that you or someone you know needs help urgently, there are a number of crisis resources available. There are also agencies and organisations that actively promote awareness for depression and other conditions; these resources provide knowledge to the community with the theory that over time, we will all be a little better about recognising and responding to depression in ourselves and others.

Things to remember about depression:

• Depression is not your fault.
• You can’t just “snap out” of depression. It is a common but serious illness.
• Depression can be hard to spot. One typically associates depression with “feeling sad,” yet there can be other symptoms, such as sleeping long or irregular hours or social withdrawal, that can be a little more difficult to notice.
• Private therapy, especially that that implements cognitive-behavioural therapy, can be an effective remedy for depression.