In nowadays society Depression is a more common phenomenon than it used to be. Actually, 16,5% of the population will develop a depression at some moment in his life. The possibility that you or somebody you know has a depression in this moment, or might develop it in the future is really big. In this blog post we explain what a depression is, and what you can do if you are or know someone with a depression.
Depression is way more common than you might think.
What is a Depression?
A depression is a period in your life in which you feel sad or down during most of the time, you are low on energy and/or you feel less motivated. You can also experience any of the following symptoms:
- Sleepiness or insomnia (inability to fall asleep).
- Loosing or gaining weight (more than 5 kilos) due to either low or increased appetite.
- Loosing interest in activities that you used to like
- Feeling negative toward oneself including feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
- Difficulty with concentration or making decisions
- Feeling hopeless or helplessness
- Loss of sexual desire or lack of interest in sexual activity.
- Having suicidal thoughts (thoughts about ending your life). If you experience suicidal thoughts; do not wait to look for professional help, contact a professional immediately.
- Feelings of irritability or restlessness
If you´re experiencing several of this symptoms for more than 2 weeks it’s possible that you’re suffering from a depression.
Why do I feel Depressed?
You can feel depressed for several reasons. You might have suffered a negative experience, you might keep on having the same negative thoughts popping up in your head or you might suffer from a depression that has a (partly) biological base.
- Depression is a natural response to negative experiences like unemployment, a break-up, loss of people or things we love, a financial setback, or even a move to a different neighborhood or country. Other factors that may cause depression include trouble having and keeping social relationships or not being able to find a solution to the difficulties we experience.
- Depression is also related to negative thoughts. Negative thoughts can make us feel bad. You might have certain negative thoughts about yourselve or others that keep on popping up and make you feel miserable. In therapy a psychologist can help you to change negative thoughts into more positive and helpful ones.
- Furthermore depression can have a biological base. Low levels of Serotonine and Dopamine in the brain may predispose us to develop a depression. For more information check this website about the biological base of depression.
What can I do if I have a Depression?
A lot of people ask themselves what they should do when they discover they are depressed. Even though it is a good idea to reach out to talk about your feelings with someone you trust, it is also important to go see a health professional.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most effective therapy there is for Depression.
- A cognitive behavioral psychologist can help you identify the cause of why you are feeling this way and can help you to feel better as soon as possible. Instead of giving direct advise or explaining personal stories as friends or family might do, a psychologist will listen to you objectively and will try to get more information so they can help you the best he can.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is currently the most effective therapy there is for depression.The majority of people suffering from depression experience considerable relief within 3 or 4 weeks of effective treatment, and long-lasting relief within 3 to 6 months of treatment (www.abct.org).
- Don’t wait to long too look for help! Many people wait too long before they start a treatment, and suffer longer than necessary! Don’t be that person and get help as soon as you notice that you are depressed! You deserve to feel better!
The majority of people suffering from depression experience considerable relief from depression within 3 or 4 weeks of Cognitive Behavioral treatment, and long-lasting relief within 3 to 6 months of treatment .
If you would like to know more about depression or if you would like to make an appointment and see how I can help you to feel better, feel free to contact me.
Lisette Zeeuw
Clinical Psychologist in Barcelona
Related Posts
Why 1 out of 4 women can’t orgasm and how to overcome this
I think that all women should have the chance to experience an orgasm. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Research shows that at least 25% of all women have an orgasm dysfunction (inability to reach orgasm). I think that's sad. We all deserve…
How can I Improve my Quality of Sleep?
Do you ever wake up feeling like you haven't slept at all? Is your sleep not refreshing? This might indicate that you're having a problem with your Quality of Sleep. In my recent post: "How to make an end to your Insomnia", I…
Controlling the uncontrollable: Tips to reduce your Anger and Frustration
The STOP Action Plan is a really effective way of controlling your anger and expressing your needs. However, it's better to prevent anger than to have to control it. Therefore, in what follows I will provide you with tips about how to…
