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There may
be many times during our lives when we feel
down or experience low mood. Some people may
be able to make direct links between the way
they feel and a particular event, such as a
bereavement, relationship breakdown, or
unemployment. Major changes in our lives can
also have an impact, such as children leaving
home for the first time, or moving house or
job. Even seemingly positive events like
contemplating retirement can have an affect on
mood. The term given to the type of depression
that arises from such events is often referred
to as reactive depression. Reactive depression
therefore describes depressed feelings that
appear to have a direct cause.
Conversely, many people may feel that they
cannot make any direct connection between
their low mood and specific life events. The
term sometimes used to describe this is
endogenous depression - the word ‘endogenous’
simply meaning ‘originating from within’. In
other words, our depressed feelings may
originate from the mind and have no apparent
external cause.
There are also a number of other terms or
categories used within psychiatry to describe
low mood - these include:
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Clinical Depression: depression so severe as
to warrant clinical |
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intervention
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Manic Depression: (also known as Bipolar
Disorder): depression |
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characterised by recurring bouts of mania and
depression. |
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Postnatal Depression: depression occurring
after childbirth |
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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Depression that occurs only in |
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the autumn and winter months.
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How useful are psychiatric categories?
Medical classifications are recorded in a
publication called the DSM, which is available
to doctors for clarification of psychiatric
disorders. Many people feel that having a
medically recognised diagnosis to describe
their depressed feelings is useful in giving a
name or label to their difficulties. One
reason that a formal diagnosis may be helpful
is when a temporary break from work is
required, or if financial support is needed
during an extended period of depression.
However, some people believe that psychiatric
classifications are of limited use and that by
narrowly defining depressed feelings as
'psychiatric disorders' we may be closing our
minds to other possibilities. For example, if
we accept that endogenous depression is due
exclusively to changing chemical levels in the
brain, we may opt for a temporary medical
solution such as antidepressant drugs.
However, if we regard low mood as a naturally
occurring phenomenon that affects us all from
time to time, and for which there is
invariably an underlying cause, we may achieve
a far broader understanding of our
difficulties. By exploring our problems, both
past and present, or perhaps re-evaluating the
way we think about problems in our lives we
may be able to reach a more long-term solution
to them.
How do people feel when they are depressed?
• Lack of energy or motivation
• Feeling physically rundown
• Poor concentration altered appetite
• Altered sleep patterns
• A reduction in physical and mental
functioning
• Smoking or drinking more
• Memory problems
• Feeling upset and anxious
• Feeling vulnerable
• Distancing yourself from others
• Losing confidence in yourself
• Feelings of unreality
• Blaming yourself and feeling unnecessary
guilt
• Pessimistic thoughts
• Self-harming
• Suicidal thoughts
Will Counselling help?
There are numerous types of psychotherapeutic
and counselling approaches/techniques
currently available – psychoanalytic,
cognitive and behavioural, humanistic, insight
therapy, human givens, feminist and
intercultural, gestalt, family and group
therapy, interpersonal, existential and
psychodynamic to name but a few. It is
therefore relatively easy to become confused
about which one might suit you best ! Many GP
surgeries now have attached counsellors who
are available to their own patients. If your
local surgery does not provide this type of
support, there are now many counsellors and
psychotherapist in private practice or you may
occasionally find local charities providing
informal counselling or listening-ear
services.
Although, it is important to remember that
simply ‘talking’ to another person who is able
to provide care and support is almost always
beneficial when you feel down. Support from a
counsellor, or more in-depth assistance from a
psychotherapist may be the next step if you
feel you need professional help to resolve
your problems. However, it is important to
choose your therapist carefully - just as you
choose your friends. An understanding and
caring therapist with whom you can have an
honest and equal working relationship is
essential....
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