What is Depression?
A depressive illness is an overwhelming feeling which dulls thinking, impairs concentration, saps energy, interest in food, sex, work and everyday activities and disrupts sleep.
Depression is frequently preceded by set-backs in life, such as bereavement, relationship or financial difficulties, problems at work or medical illness. We all react to loss with a sense of disappointment which in its impact can vary from mild to disabling. An inherited tendency towards depression is a major factor in determining how depressed a person will become following a loss.
Depression - The Different Types
• Reactive Depression: This is an extension of the normal upset feeling following an unhappy event in a person's life, such as the death of a close relative or friend, marriage break-up or loss employment. Typically a sufferer will feel low, anxious and often will be angry or irritable. For some people reactive depression can follow even minor set-backs, as the individual's personality leaves them particularly vulnerable to disappointments.
• Unipolar or Endogenous Depression: While this is primarily a biological or inherited condition, disappointment will often provoke its onset. The typical symptoms are those outlined in the Festival list of symptoms, where there is extreme tiredness, slowed thinking, impaired concentration, waking during the night and tending to feel worse in the early morning.
• Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depressive Illness: The symptoms of the depressed phase of bipolar disorder are identical to those of unipolar depression, but, in addition, there are also episodes of elation or mania with which the depression alternates. Although elation is usually considered a pleasurable experience, it often has a devastating effect on a person's life.
Treating depression
Depressive and bipolar depressive illnesses are extremely responsive to treatment. Over 80% of the most serious depressions can be quickly helped. Effective psychotherapies (talking treatments) and non habit forming antidepressant medications enable people to recover from depression and help prevent recurrences. If given proper care, people with depressive and bipolar disorders can achieve recovery and lead productive and enjoyable lives.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
CBT is an effective psychotherapy. It is used as part of successful treatment plans for illnesses including depression. CBT usually consists of a fixed number of therapy sessions, focussed on specific goals leading to improvements in thought patterns, feelings, and behaviour. Click here for more information about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.