Feeling Down?

Are you feeling down? Do you feel low, perhaps for no apparent reason?

Not interested in the things that you used to enjoy?

Here you will find information on low mood and how it can be tackled

I feel really low. Am I depressed?

We can all feel down from time to time, and we may even sometimes say we feel ‘depressed’. Having a bad day (or two) is perhaps the sign of a low mood, and is an experience many people go through.

Clinical depression (the type that may need treatment), is when you feel low a lot of the time for several weeks or more, not just for a couple of days at a time. Feeling down sometimes is to be expected, yet depression is when those feelings persist. It’s something that you can't 'snap out of’. You can't just 'get over it', even though you (or others) may think that you should be able to.

What are the symptoms of clinical depression?

How did this happen? What are the causes of depression?

People suffering with depression often struggle with the following:

not wanting to do things
feeling like they want to cry
feeling down all the time
sadness
feeling tired but having difficulty sleep
low sex drive
physical aches and pains
low self-esteem
being anxious
not taking care of the way they look
seeing no way forward through their difficulties
wanting to be around other people less
sometimes, they may even feel they want to take their own life

It is important to bear in mind that clinical depression is a mental health condition, and so it is best that it is properly diagnosed by a healthcare professional such as a doctor in the first instance.

The causes of depression are a subject of discussion between doctors and healthcare professionals all over the world. Some professionals believe that chemical imbalances in the brain can lead to depression, and others believe that challenges in a person’s environment are more likely to be to blame. Most clinicians agree that these factors can play a part:

life events, e.g. having a baby or separating from a partner
money worries or job insecurity
moving home when you don't want to
suffering a bereavement
being physically unwell for an extended period of time
Experiencing (or witnessing) a traumatic event
an imbalance in the brain chemistry that influences mood

There is evidence that a tendency to become depressed can be passed down between generations; if you have a family history of low mood or depression you may be more likely to suffer with feeling down yourself.

Have you tried to lift your low mood already? Are you worried about ‘letting it all out’, or reluctant to take medication to help you stop feeling down?

Get the facts about depression treatment

Managing your mood by slowly adopting new lifestyle choices can be a great help in defeating depression. Many people have learned, with support, that although clouds may come down they can lift and enjoyment of life can be regained

Some Dos and Don’ts when suffering from depression

DO get more exercise; being out in the fresh air can help to lift low mood and can help to quieten negative thoughts
DO eat healthily; a balanced diet is an important part of maintaining a healthy body and healthy mind
DO seek advice from a doctor or other healthcare professional experienced in dealing with depression if you are unsure about the best way forward with things, and especially if things seem too difficult for you to manage

DON'T be tempted to drink too much alcohol to make things seem better (alcohol will make you feel worse in the long run, as it is a depressant)
DON'T despair - there is help available out there which can support you through a difficult period
DON'T be too hard on yourself - if you feel you may be suffering from depression, the fact that you are reading this web page means that you have taken a positive step towards learning to manage your wellbeing

If you recognise low mood and depression as problems in your life, and would like to know more about the online counselling service offered at Ashwood Therapy, you could book a free, no obligation initial consultation by video call or instant messaging (text) chat to talk things over with Rob. It could be the first step towards getting things ‘back on track’.

How do I cope? How can I treat my depression?

Treatment for depression and persistent low mood usually involves talking things through with a professional counsellor, taking medication, or both:

Counselling

is somewhere you can work through the difficulties facing you, in confidence, without being judged or told what to do
can give you the chance to explore any changes you wish to make in your life or in your current situation
may help you to live in a more accepting way with something that can't be changed, by adopting a different perspective or attitude
can give you a sense of release through being heard and having the chance to 'let it all out', voicing what may be making you unhappy
counselling is available online as well as in person, so you may be able to access it without even leaving your own home

Medication

anti-depressants which are prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional can be a helpful part of your recovery
medication can, used under supervision, help you to be in more of a position to help yourself with your difficulties
some people find that herbal remedies help to lift their mood

When taking anti-depressant medication it can take between two and four weeks before you feel the benefit of your low mood lifting. It's important to give the medication chance to do its job before you make any judgements as to whether or not you feel that it is effective. If you start to feel better, it is essential to consult your doctor before you stop taking the medication or reduce the dosage.