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Help
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Accepting that you may need to talk about your problems is very difficult to do. Agreeing to go ahead and speak to a professional counsellor or Therapist and then getting yourself there takes a lot of courage and strength. There are lots of people that you can talk to: - Samaritans - Teachers, Friends & Family - A professional Counsellor/Therapist The first step is to go and visit your GP, who should diagnose the problem. If they offer to provide you with counselling on the NHS then my advice would deffinetly be to take it. At the end of the day, you can not knock something that you haven't tried. Swallow your pride and get yourself there. At the end of the day, if you really want to start to feel better, then no matter what, you will go. Formal help through talking (as opposed to a chat with a friend or relative, is very valuable but has limits to its usefulness) takes two forms:
Increasingly recognised as a valuable tool in treating depression. It is essentially a way of changing low mood and the consequent behaviour by modifying the underlying negative thoughts. It is very much a way of treating the cause rather than just dealing with symptoms.
Aims to deal with unresolved conflicts arising from negative past experiences which are at the roots of a particular person's illness. It requires considerable commitment and time for both therapist and client.
Drug therapy most definitely has a useful place in treatment. It acts to restore the imbalances of brain chemicals which arise in depression. This in itself can make the sufferer feel sufficiently well to be able to start to deal with the root causes of the illness. It can be difficult to think at all in a depressive illness, and the great value of drug treatment is that it can help the sufferer function again as a human being, with clear thought and balanced emotions. Antidepressants are NOT: - addictive or habit-forming - "tranquillisers" - a cop-out/excuse There are four main classes of antidepressants: Tricyclics (and Tetracyclics), SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), MAOI's (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors), and Lithium. Each has its own value and place, and its own set of side-effects. Discuss these in full with your own doctor so you know what to expect when you start a particular choice of treatment.
Treatment in hospital is by the methods above, with the added benefit of rest from the trials of everyday life through being in a place of safety with nursing care, and the option of ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) which is very successful in severe depression which is resistant to the other methods.
Other forms of therapy exist which can be used in addition to those described above although it is best to discuss these with the GP to make sure they are appropriate for the patient and their particular circumstances. For instance many people find art or music therapy helpful in expressing their deep feelings sometimes more easily than by talking. Aromatherapy and relaxation can also help especially with the anxiety symptoms which many people with depression suffer from. Homeopathic medicines can help some sufferers as can hypnotherapy but again these avenues are best discussed first with the individual's GP.
Diet and Exercise does play a huge part in your energy levels. It is a proven fact that Exercise helps to increase endorphine levels in the brain, which ultimately make you feel a lot happier. physical exercise stimulates the brain positively, and promotes physical relaxation and a sense of well-being.
There are some excellent self-help books on the market for those who would like to know methods and ways in which they may be able to help themselves by reading, understanding and then implementing. One book which I read and I thought it was excellent is David Burns, Feeling Good - The new guide to mood therapy. Obviously, I am also in the process of writing my own book, (Breaking the Chain) which I hope would be beneficial also. You can also try some techniques which can unwind tension and reduce stress such as: - relaxation tapes, - yoga, transcendental meditation and - aromatherapy You can try to change small things like: - adjust the pace of life to make goals realistically achievable and increase the sense of control over destiny. - eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. - avoid mood-altering substances: tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and stronger drugs which actually feed depression and the short-term high acts as a diversion from the important issues. - join a self-help group
There are many websites which provide information about Depression. I am currently featured on one of a website called DIPEx (www.dipex.org) I am DP15 - Patient in Experiences section under 29yrs of age.) This award winning website has been set up to allow users to access interviews held with numerous different patients from all over the UK who have suffered with depression. You can read the transcripts, play the sound or watch the videos. Some other useful Internet sites are: |
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| LAUNCH DATE FOR MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY - BREAKING THE CHAIN - |
| MORE USEFUL RESOURCES ABOUT DEPRESSION |
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