Kim Hamilton

Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist

Depression and other symptoms

Anxiety

Stress

Depression

Three interrelated symptoms

Anxiety Fear of possible dangers

Stress too much at once

Depression

Depression can be experienced in a mild form lasting hours or days or it can be completely debilitating with major symptoms lasting years

and all points in between

The Spectrum of Depression

Chemical or Hormonally induced depression

Genetic factors (are some people “wired” for depression?)

Life experiences and trauma (too much fear in our early years)

Depression; possible causes

Depression can result in addictive behavior

All addictions are a desperate attempt to deal with painful symptoms

Addiction; a self-medicated response to anxiety

Most often all these symptoms are the result of other underlying, more important psychological issues

As with a high temperature, aching joints and nausea that is not the illness it’s self but could be the symptoms of many different illnesses

Depression Anxiety and Stress

“I suffer from depression” is only true in part

What is suffered from is more than the symptom it is the underlying issue that causes depression

Depression Anxiety and Stress

Symptoms can completely mask the underlying issues, so they are never recognised or treated

Symptoms

Depression Anxiety and Stress

Very often these symptoms take on the central focus in a person's life becoming an never ending cycle of illness and unsuccessful treatment

Uni-polar; Some changes / swing in mood and behaviors

Bi-polar; Swings between mania and depression “Manic depression”

Endogenous; Caused by trauma

Types of depression

Has anyone never felt some of these symptoms at sometime?

Depression

Depression; Treatments

Depression can be successfully treated with a combination of treatments that change thinking and feelings by changing behavior

Depression; dealing with underlying causes

Counselling and Psychotherapy can have good outcomes in treating the underlying issues

This can include the help we get from talking to friends and family

We can’t ignore symptoms

Psychological symptoms can and should be treated at the same time as treatment with talking therapy

Treating the symptoms

Taking responsibility for getting well

This is often the first task of counselling

But not ever saying; “just pull yourself together!”

Aim of effective treatment

Anti-depressants

These aim to reduce symptoms to enable other treatments to work more effectively

Often they are seen as the only solution

Side effects are experienced at the start of treatment, long term (more than 2/3 years) use reduces their effectiveness

Depression; treatments

Depression; do’s and don’ts

How we can help our friends and family who are suffering from depression?

Or how can we help ourselves?

Don’t ask them to do too much at once

Don’t show impatience

Don’t undermine their emotional experience

Don’t compare them to others

Don’t say “its time you got over this”

Don’t get caught up in their depression, it can be infectious

Don’ts

Encourage activities that they are good at to build self-worth

Invite them to social events to build confidence

Give them responsibilities to help them see themselves as helpers not victims

Encourage health sleeping, eating and exercise

Notice triggers points that can increase or cause depressive episodes and talk about them Make them laugh

Do’s

Overcoming depression

It is important to concentrate on what is possible to change and not worry about what is impossible

Identify the underlying root cause issues

Appropriate use of medication

Work on changing to positive behaviors

Be prepared to have setbacks

Overcoming depression

Overcoming depression

If you change your behavior you will feel differently

Why then is it so hard to overcome depression?

Why are so many people depressed?

Why is depression the most common psychological illness?

Overcoming depression

There is a culture of looking outside of ourselves for solutions; rather than doing it for ourselves

Some people identify with their illness even when it causes them pain, they see it as who they are

They can be anxious of the changes being well will bring

We can falsely make our life experiences the sum of our identity

Overcoming depression

Overcoming depression

Now the most important part...

The church has understood the importance of psychological therapies since the 1970’s

All gospel centered psychotherapy must point towards participating in the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Psychotherapy is to help take down the barriers that prevent this

A Gospel Approach

Mental health problems could be understood as the pain we suffer when we becoming caught in a false identity

When we allow our fears and anxieties to shape who we are , our real potential is lost

A Gospel Approach

A Gospel Approach

Healing comes from discovering our true eternal identity

www.nhs.uk

www.ldstherapy.co.uk

www.psychotherapydarlington.co.uk

Useful websites