What is depression?

Well it’s not just feeling sad or down, it’s a condition that effects the person both mentally and physically.We do not treat the depression, we treat the person, depression is a symptom that may have been growing day by day, some times slowly over months or years, or it can start after a traumatic experience or strikes seemingly without warning.Whatever your problem is entering counselling for depression could help you find a new ways of thinking and feeling, with careful guided exploration of your emotional life, it can be possible to find new ways of living that will bring an end to the world of depression.

Some of the psychological symptoms of depression

• Feelings of hopelessnes
• Low self-esteem
• Tearfulness.
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
• Short tempered with others.
• Lack of motivation.
• Lack of enjoyment.
• Suicidal thoughts .
• Feeling worried or anxious
• Apathy
• Loss of sex drive
• Difficulty in making decisions
• Isolation, reduced social activity.
• Lack of concentration.

Some of the physical symptoms of depression

• Slowed movement or speech.
• Lack of appetite or changes in weight
• Bowel problems like constipation or diarrhoea
• Unexplained aches and pains.
• Lack of energy
• Changes in sleep patterns.
• Feeling constantly tired.

If your depressed you can some times still enjoy a sunrise or a funny moment, but the over all feelings are dampened by a suppressing feeling that smothers your moods, it can reduce your ability to think normally or react quickly, it can feel as if your soul is carrying a large lead weight and it takes so much emotion to move it that there is none left for joy.
Depression is liable to reduce your ability to sleep and affect your self worth, confidence can wither away and inside you start to stagnate into emptiness, but that is just one interpretation, depression is a personal affliction, and there are many depths or levels that are felt at a time, no one is the same and depression is a very personal experience, you need to experience it to understand fully its life eroding pattern.
Although anti depressants are not always found to be helpful by some people and even seen as a problem by others you may feel some benefit from taking them, they do have their place in providing some respite with some severe symptoms. They don’t help everyone but it is still a physical way of providing help that can in some cases save lives and should be considered.

Body shut down

Some people say it feels as if their body has shut down, but in reality its the mind that has made it think that way, the mind has a powerful and influential power over our physical function, your body may feel slow and heavy but in fact its the depressive influence of the mind over your normal physical functions.
There are times when the mind needs to shut down to heal or recover from the overwhelming pressure it has experienced, this time may feel like your mind is full of glue or you are unable to sort thoughts and feelings, this can sometimes feel as if your unable to cope with simple tasks and it can start to hit your confidence or self esteem.Wanting to get better has to be off set with allowing for some time, time to heal, time to rest, and time to adjust to your immediate needs. Too much change or wanting to move forward before you are ready can actually slow down recovery.
The mind and the body are intertwined in life, one affects the other, psychological problems lead to physical problems, the mind can help heal the physical self , the mind is where we live and find joy and love. It’s also the place we find dark places and despair, depression also affects the physical body.It’s not just a mental state. When the mind suffers so does the body, people with depression lose co-ordination and speed, it affects the body’s ability to heal and fight off infection. The ability to digest food is lowered and digestive or bowel problems can be more common. The sense of touch and taste can also change, so it can have a deep affect on the ability to live life.
The good news is it can be treated and many people recover from its grip and go on to lead a good life free of depression.We do not treat the depression, we treat the person, with counselling we could help the recovery or help your own understanding towards finding a way forward. For some people depression is welcomed, it allows them to just shut down, to rest the thinking emotional mind for a while, to allow the mind to heal. You cannot force a person to recover they must want it, or see a way forward, it can take time and patience, but with the right kind of help at the right time, progress can be made towards a recovery.

Physical problems leading to depression

There are physical problems that can make you depressed, such as thyroid disease or diabetes, to find out if there could be a physical reason for your depression your Doctor will be the best place to start, do not just sit in silence, suffering, see someone, even if its the local nurse or counsellor.

Speak to an addiction treatment specialist on +254 702103841. to explore options for treatment of the afflicted and affected family members. Email: admin@psychosocial.co.ke. Twitter:@ThikaRehab: Facebook: www.psychosocial.co.ke/rehab.home.