Depression

Depression affects one in five people at some point in their lives.  Anyone can get low at times, but with depression, the feelings don't go away quickly or become so bad they interfere with everyday life.

Depression symptoms 

According to Royal College of Psychiatrists, most people with depression will not have all the symptoms listed below, but most will have at least five or six.

You:

• feel unhappy most of the time (but may feel a little better in the evenings)
• lose interest in life and can't enjoy anything
• find it harder to make decisions
• can't cope with things that you used to
• feel utterly tired
• feel restless and agitated
• lose appetite and weight (some people find they do the reverse and put on weight)
• take 1-2 hours to get off to sleep, and then wake up earlier than usual
• lose interest in sex
• lose your self-confidence
• feel useless, inadequate and hopeless
• avoid other people
• feel irritable
• feel worse at a particular time each day, usually in the morning
• think of suicide.

 

What is depression caused by?

The general thought is that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. This can be caused by changes in life circumstances, bereavement, job loss etc.  Some medical conditions can cause it e.g. low thyroid, some women experience it after childbirth, alcohol and substance abuse can also be related.

As an Option Process® Mentor I believe it comes from a particular sets of beliefs and ways of thinking. Rather than it "happening" to us, there are perspectives we adopt which fuel our depression.  So we get sad about something then eventually we get sad about being sad.  This is fabulous news to those who suffer depression, if you want to change the way you think then you can change the way you feel…want to know how, read on…

(Also see Underlying principles  and How it works page for further explanation.)

How will the Option Process Dialogue help me here, why not just take antidepressants?

Antidepressants work on chemical messengers in the brain to lift your mood. They can’t cure depression, but they can alleviate the symptoms so that you may feel able to take action to deal with the depression yourself. Antidepressants frequently cause many unpleasant side effects, which are worse to begin with.  Some can be dangerous when used with other drugs, ultimately they still leave us feeling like victims.

During an Option Process dialogue I will work with you to help you identify the specific reasons you are feeling down and help you find reasons/beliefs that support your happiness and comfort.  We pick away at the fog of sadness until it dissipates, which it will if you want it to.  My job is to create a safe place for you to explore whatever it is you want to explore, I am not there to judge, or tell you what to do or how to think, as I believe you are your own best expert.  I have no expectations and no goals for you, you are totally in charge of where you go, what you talk about and how far you go.

The only side effect that people suffer is clarified thoughts and euphoria!  Infact many of my clients have reported being terrified straight after or the next morning as they had not experienced feeling so good in such a long time. 

 How to get started?

Start creating an awareness of your emotions and behaviours e.g. take note of instances where you felt really down, make a list of things you were thinking and feeling down about?

Create a list of your wants for yourself, what is it that you want for yourself long term?

If this feels too burdensome I can help you achieve this within the dialogue, Please give me a ring (01353 699457) or drop me an email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  for more details