Health Advice |
"Pull yourself together" - a guide to understanding depression
Dorrit Prichard is a Counsellor based in Houston and Glasgow, and a Director of PCT Glasgow Ltd Counselling Centre. She is available for consultation by appointment at Napiers Cresswell Street Clinic in Glasgow, and has kindly allowed us to publish her article. We have all felt fed up, low or "depressed" at times, perhaps because of something that is happening in our lives, or perhaps for no reason that we can think of. Usually the feeling passes after a while, because something in our lives has changed, or we just start to feel better again. However, sometimes that feeling just doesn't seem to go away, and we can't lift ourselves out of it. This may be because the feeling is caused by a condition called "Depression", rather than a normal part of the ups and downs of life. Sufferers of depression often find it hard to put into words how it feels to be depressed. Those of you who have been lucky enough never to suffer depression may find it even more difficult to grasp how it feels, and why you can't just "pull yourself together" and shake it off. The Depression Alliance describes depression as "an intense feeling of persistent sadness, helplessness and hopelessness that is accompanied by physical effects such as sleeplessness, low energy levels or physical aches and pains". More commonly, sufferers describe feeling like there is a great weight or a black cloud hanging over them, and they may find it impossible to carry on with their normal day-to-day activities, or to find any pleasure or joy in anything. Winston Churchill called his depression "the black dog", and many famous and successful people have been depressed, including Paul Merton, Stephen Fry and Spike Milligan. There are a number of causes of depression and many treatments available, most of which will work for most people. For example, medication such as anti-depressants, the "talking therapies" such as counselling or psychotherapy, and general lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a healthy diet and relaxation. It is important to consult your GP if your depression is severe, longstanding or recurrent, and to be aware that anti-depressants are not necessarily addictive. Try to think of depression as a condition you suffer from for which you need professional help and treatment, just like a physical illness such as diabetes. This will help to reduce the stigma and guilt that can be attached to depression. Finding out as much as possible about the condition can help to reduce misconceptions, and sharing experiences with other sufferers can also help to reduce the feeling of isolation. One in five of us will experience depression at some point in our lives. It is one of the most common conditions, and one of the most misunderstood. If you think you may be depressed, remember that you are not the only person to feel like this. You are not alone, there is help available, and there is a light at the end of that long, dark tunnel. Further information and support is available from the websites listed below, your GP, and counsellors who will help you to understand your depression, its causes and what might help. www.depressionalliance.org - a major UK depression charity To contact Dorrit, please get in touch with our Cresswell Street clinic reception on 0141 339 5859. |