Depression
Everyone feels unhappy from time to time. But with depression, feelings of sadness are persistent and affect daily life. The severity of depression can vary from one individual to another. Depression is a mental health issue and can be understood and treated using a variety of approaches.
Our treatment approach for Depression
A number of different treatment are available at Nightingale Hospital London for depression. You may attend as an outpatient, day patient or inpatient.
Talking therapies
Counselling enables individuals to talk about their feelings to an objective, professional person.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is goal directed, systematic and problem solving therapeutic approach that focuses on the way we think and act in order to help overcome and manage emotional difficulties.
Interpersonal and dynamic therapy offers space to people to make sense of what they are doing through exploring ways of coping with difficulties and making useful changes to change their experience. Interpersonal therapies also offer a chance to learn to understand difficulties you may be having in relationship and ways to make sense of them.
rTMS
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, known as rTMS, is a non- invasive treatment that does not require medication and can help improve symptoms of depression. It is highly effective long-lasting treatment with minimal side effects, studies into rTMS have shown that it produces a significant decrease in depressive symptoms.
Medication
Medication can also be effective. It may help you to feel less anxious and cope better so that you can start to enjoy life and deal with problems effectively again.
Symptoms of Depression
The feeling of depression is deeper, longer and more unpleasant than the short episodes of unhappiness that everyone experiences occasionally.
Individuals with depression experience:
- Low mood that persists over a number of weeks
- Losing interest in life and feeling hopeless about the future
- Losing interest in things you use to enjoy
- Loss of self-confidence
- Thinking critically about yourself
- Increased anxiety
- Finding it harder to make decisions
- Feeling unable to cope with tasks that used to be manageable
- Feeling exhausted and lacking motivation
- Feeling restless and agitated
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Changes in sleeping patterns, either sleeping more or less than usual
- Avoiding social events and activities you used to enjoy
Helping those with depression
Connect with other people
Being with other people can be difficult when you are feeling depressed but talking to someone you trust about how you feel can help.
Keep active
Exercise can improve motivation and energy levels. It also has positive impact on sleep and mood.
Eat well
Eating a balanced and health diet can improve mood and energy.
Routine
A clear and manageable routine can provide structure to your day and reduce isolation.
Sleep
For people experiencing depression, sleeping too much or little can be a challenge. Regular and consistent sleeping patterns can help improve mood and energy levels.
Challenge your thinking
Making a not of your mood daily can help tackle depression by noticing thinking patterns. In case of negative thinking, ask yourself what you might say to a friend.
Help someone who is depressed
Offer a listening ear, make time to listen to problems and worries. Encourage activity and self care including exercise, keeping a routine, eating well and getting enough sleep. Encourage them to visit their doctor, perhaps offer to go with them for support.
