Feeling down is something everyone experiences at one point or another. Sometimes we are stuck in a bad phase of life and it can be hard for us to walk with our heads up. But normally, when our circumstances improve our sadness fades away and we get back to our normal moods. But things are different for people that suffer from depression. So, how can you know that you’re not just sad but depressed? And most importantly, what can you do about it?

What is Depression?

Depression is more than just feeling unhappy. Most often people confuse sadness with depression, but depression is a vastly complex and severe mood disorder. Depression is perhaps the most common mental health disorder in the whole world. Unlike temporary sadness that goes away with time, depression is a state of constant negativity. It is a serious mental illness that affects your whole outlook on life. Both your ways of thinking and acting are severely affected by depression.

Life can bring even the strongest down and it’s normal to feel hopeless or extremely sad if you’re stuck in bad circumstances. But when feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness kick in, it can turn into a troublesome condition. Depression is not something you can just ignore or get out of that easily. It is a genuine health condition that is often brushed off as people are not that well aware of it.

Depression is a serious disorder but fortunately is also highly treatable. With the right treatment and support, most of the people can even make full recoveries. There is also nothing ashamed of being depressed as this condition can be sometimes out of our conscious control.

How to find a Depression Therapist

If you are looking to find the perfect Depression therapist it is crucial to make sure that they have the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience. At Expat Therapy 4U we only accept therapists who have full professional proficiency in English and are highly experienced in working with people from culturally diverse backgrounds. The clinicians we approve share our values and commitment to provide high quality therapy to the expatriate community in the private sector across Europe and online worldwide. We strongly believe that therapy changes lives, and being accredited ensures all our therapists are qualified to a high standard. You can find a Depression therapist who is insured to practice and accredited with a recognised membership body online here.

What are the symptoms of Depression?

• You feel hopeless and cannot see anything positive ahead of you. Life seems like a burden and you feel as if you cannot do anything to make your situation better.
• You experience a loss of interest in your daily activities, even those hobbies which were once enjoyable.
• You have a lack of energy and motivation to do anything. Your body feels physically drained. Even mundane tasks such as getting out of bed seem too much for you to handle.
• Sudden sleep and appetite changes are common in people with depression. You may gain or lose a significant amount of weight in a short period of time.
• Insomnia and difficulty sleeping are some of the most common symptoms of clinical depression.
• Your emotions feel overwhelming and you can’t seem to control them. Fits of anger, feeling agitated and even violent, etc.
• You have self-loathing tendencies. You have recurrent thoughts of self-harm and suicide. You highly criticize yourself for even small mistakes and have a generally pessimistic outlook on life.
• You show reckless behavior such as breaking things, driving dangerously, overdosing drugs, or doing any other activities that put you or others at risk.
• You have concentration problems and difficulty performing at work, academics, and other areas of your life.

Causes of depression

Depression can be caused by both environmental and genetic factors. Here are some major things that can cause depression.

• Any intense form of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can induce depression.
• Abusing drugs over the long term can also lead to depression. Some medications with serious side effects can also cause depression.
• Genetics is often the biggest factor in causing depression. If you have a family history of mental illnesses, then you may be at a greater risk of developing depression.
• Major events in life such as the death of a loved one, extreme loss, losing a job or any other extreme stressor can pull you into depression.
• Having a serious health condition can also cause depression.
• Personal problems such as the end of a relationship, being socially isolated, or family problems can also lead to depression.

Recommended treatments for Depression

Fortunately, as severe as it may seem, there are a number of treatment options that can help you overcome this mental illness.

Psychotherapy

A therapist is a trained mental health professional that can help you understand your condition and most importantly provide you with tools and coping strategies to tackle depression. In a depressive state, our thinking is very flawed. We start finding faults even in good things. With therapy, you learn to identify these distorted thinking patterns and replace them with more constructive and positive ways of thinking.

Talk therapy gives you skills and insights to cope with your disorder. You can go with several therapy options such as Cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy, etc. Often a blended approach is used that can best help you reframe your negative thinking. All of this is done under the supervision of a professional so you can experience immense and lasting benefits.

Medication

In extreme cases where you are feeling suicidal or violent, antidepressants can help you calm down to enhance the effects of therapy. Medications can be extremely helpful in some cases, but they do come with their own side-effects as well. So this option should only be considered in extreme cases as withdrawal from these medications can be really difficult. Medication should only be used in extreme cases or to enhance the effects of psychotherapy.

Lifestyle changes

The following lifestyle changes can also be of great help in treating depression.

• Reach out to others about how you feel and share your thoughts with them.
• Do not isolate yourself as isolation can further fuel negative thoughts.
• Cut out drugs from your life and pay close attention to the food you eat. A deficiency in nutrition can also cause mood disorders.
• Create a routine and get proper sleep each night.
• Engage in healthy activities and try to keep yourself occupied with exercising or playing physical sports.

Find a Depression Therapist through the Expat Therapy 4U platform

Depression can be serious enough to threaten your life. It is important to know that depression is a complex disorder and not just normal sadness that goes away with time. Seeking a mental health professional can help you learn about your condition and how you can cope with depression to lead a healthier and happier life.

Further Readings on Depression

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-depression/

https://theinternationalpsychologyclinic.com/problems/depression-counselling-london/

https://theinternationalpsychologyclinic.com/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-for-depression/

https://theinternationalpsychologyclinic.com/how-to-overcome-depression-without-medication/