Depression
Depression affects many people and often goes untreated. It can make you feel both helpless and hopeless. You may notice you have no energy or your body physically hurts and can lead to diagnoses of physical illness such as , heart palpitation, muscle problems, headaches (migraine) or fibromyalgia, Sometimes, you might not feel motivated to work, to see friends, or to do the activities you used to enjoy. Trouble sleeping, irritability and sometimes even thoughts of wanting it all to end, are all symptoms of depression.
In its mildest form, depression can mean just being in low spirits. It doesn’t stop you leading your normal life, but makes everything harder to do and seem less worthwhile. At its most severe, major depression (clinical depression) can be life-threatening, because it can make you feel suicidal or simply give up the will to live.
Depression affects lots of people it is more common than you think , unfortunately because of stigma and other factors lots of people do not seek help – counselling can help – and by getting help can make a positive difference to your life and the people in your life.
We often use the expression ‘I feel depressed’ when we’re
feeling sad or miserable about life. Usually, these feelings pass in due
course. But, if the feelings are interfering with your life and don’t go
away after a couple of weeks, or if they come back, over and over again,
for a few days at a time, it could be a sign that you’re depressed ”
Some symptoms of depression include:
- Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
- Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
- Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
- Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
- Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
- Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
- Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
- Reckless behaviour. You engage in escapist behaviour such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.
- Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
- Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.
Contact Us
By Telephone :
Mobile: 0754 3071 396
Mobile: 0754 3071 394
By Email:
Email: nicky@counsellingservicesni.co.uk
Email: Helen@counsellingservicesni.co.uk
By Post:
H&N Counselling & Psychotherapy
Upper Floor
336 Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 6GH
