DEPRESSION
Depression counseling psychologist Maarkedal - professional support for gloom, exhaustion and recovery.
WHAT IS DEPRESSION ?
Everyone feels dejected or depressed from time to time.
That is along part of our normal emotion palette and is transient.
However, this is not necessarily the same as having ‘depression’!
In depression, we notice a gloomy mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in (almost) all activities. You then feel this daily, throughout the most of the day. These complaints last at least 2 weeks.
Various symptoms (see section what do you notice/feel?) disrupt your daily functioning very seriously and are NOT explained by any other physical condition or substance abuse.
You may recognize certain feelings, but they may be transient. Then we are more likely to speak of depressive symptoms. Only when the above criteria are met do we speak of depression.
There appears to be a link between hereditary factors and personality traits on the one hand, and the onset of depression on the other. With often psychosocial stress as an eliciting factor.
Note that both ‘depression’ and ‘depressive symptoms’ both have their own causes.
If you experience too much burden, it may be important anyway for yourself to give it the necessary attention, so that you can regain the quality of your life
FORMS OF DEPRESSION
Depression is classified according to severity. We speak of a mild, moderate or serious form. Your family doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist, based on the assessment of your symptoms and consequences, determines what degree of depression you have. This is not always easy.
This is because several factors come into play in that assessment: other physical or psychological conditions, medication, substance abuse, risk factors, circumstances,...
There are additionally special forms of depression:
Postpartum depression, where you become depressed as a woman after giving birth
Chronic depressive mood disorder: This is a form of mild to moderate but chronic depression in which symptoms persist for at least 2 years.
Winter depression: where a person becomes depressed for at least 2 years in a row in the fall and rebounds in the spring.
Psychotic depression: in which the sense of reality is distorted and usually unrealistically pessimistic.
WHAT DO YOU NOTICE/FEEL?
You can experience depression in several ways. It involves at least 1 of the following symptoms:
– Gloom and lethargy during most of the day.
– Less interest For things that would otherwise interest you.
In addition to the core symptoms, other symptoms may arise :
The food doesn't taste good to you anymore or you eat right extra, causing you to lose or gain weight.
Sleep succeeds less well or excessively
Slow and tired its OR correct restless and quickly irritated
Guilt, redundant, worthless and useless feeling.
Poorer concentration. (e.g. when reading or watching television)
Decisions take costs more trouble, even if it is something simple.
Possibly you experience life as a great burden and sometimes even long for death....
If many of these types of symptoms persist over an extended period of time, it may indicate depression.
Depression can hinder you in your daily life, your activities at home, your leisure time and at work.
Often you do not recognize a depressed mood yourself and cannot name your suffering as depression. Therefore, it is enlightening to briefly review the above symptoms.
WHEN DO YOU NEED HELP?
If you feel you're just not getting through it.
Sometimes our environment realizes this faster than you do. This is because we ourselves have a blind spot for ourselves. In addition, we like to solve things ourselves and tend to minimize and put things into perspective.
It is important to note that:
- you are totally not standing alone in this Every year in Belgium, 6 people out of 100 experience a depression, which is quite a lot. Because of the corona period, this figure is most likely much higher!
- there already is a vast amount of knowledge built around how to move forward with this
- it is absolutely no shame to seek help! On the contrary, that's just a very strong step with which you decide to address the problems you are experiencing!
HOW DOES COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY WORK FOR DEPRESSION ?
As a therapist, I first try to get a view of how your complaints put together, along with your circumstances and characteristics of your person. This is to keep up with your unique story. That way we can already frame and place your depression more clearly. Are there underlying factors or circumstances that contribute to your depression or depressed mood?
In addition, it will be important for us to look at how we can start activating you in your behavior at your size. We also call this ‘behavioral activation‘.
Also, together we will explore your so-called automatic (or unconscious) thoughts that influence your feelings and behavior. Thinking patterns that trigger or maintain your depressive symptoms.
The whole of thought patterns, feelings and behaviors can control your life, often without you even realizing it. Together we get a view of this and try to align and test it against reality.
TIPS
Depression or depressed mood is very common. There is absolutely no need to feel ashamed or guilty about it!
Below are a few tips that may help you move forward as enough!
TIP 1 : TALKING
It can help you a lot to talk about your feelings .. This, with your family or friends, your doctor or your therapist. Explain to them how you feel and what this depression/depressed mood means to you.
You may be thinking negatively about yourself. Disappointment, sadness and anger can begin to reinforce that negative feeling. The process of such emotions takes time, but it really doesn't have to be carry alone!
TIP 2 : SET ACHIEVABLE GOALS
It is not the time or period to make high demands on yourself. eg: that you need to recover quickly OR be able to do your job in a normal way!
It's best to focus on the simple, practical tasks of your life. Through your adjust expectations to the circumstances, you get yourself down less and empower your negative mood less! So set achievable targets.
TIP 3 : REGULARITY
No matter how difficult you experience it, try to keep regularity in your life. This, by going to bed, getting up and eating at fixed (normal!) times. Try to respect your basic needs as much as possible.
Doing this also avoids wasting heavy energy thinking about what you might do next, Because each step may feel too heavy..
TIP 4 : NO ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE
Drink no alcohol and use no drugs.
It numbs your negative feelings SHORTLY,
BUT stands in the way of a good long-term recovery.
TIP 5 : DISTRACTION
Find distraction in activities that you normally experience as pleasant and relaxing. Even if you don't like them right now, it's better than just sitting at home and doing nothing. Outdoor air and exercise can soon make you feel better!
TIP 6 : EXERCISE AND SPORTS
Provide regular exercise such as biking, walking, running or other sports. Whatever makes you feel good! There is something for everyone in the world of sports!
Exercising half an hour 3 times a week could help you feel less depressed and more fit.
And if you suffer from sleep disorders, that regular exercise can help you regain a good night's sleep.
TIP 7 : WORK
If possible, try not to stay completely at home of your work. If your job allows you to work part-time, it may help you not to fall completely silent.
This provides a Permanent fixed structure in your week, and possibly makes you feel like you do still do something! Perhaps something like this is negotiable with your company doctor
Would you like us to go out together around the complaints you are experiencing? You can do so using the button below. .