depression
Symptoms of Depression
People suffering from major depression have five or more of the following:
Depressed mood – Felt for most of the day, nearly every day. A person may feel sad, empty or hopeless, or someone else may be noticing a person’s mood. Loss of interest or pleasure – Inability to experience pleasure. Not interested in previous hobbies, social activities, sex, etc.
Appetite or weight change – Significant weight loss or gain. Decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
Sleep changes – Either insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
Feelings of restlessness / agitation or feeling “slowed down”.
Fatigue or loss of energy every day.
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive, inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
Concentration problems – Indecisive, memory problems, or difficulty focusing.
Suicidal thoughts.
If you find that you have a number of the above symptoms, but fewer than five, and not as frequent, you may be suffering from a milder form of depression.
Is counselling right for you?
Counselling can help you explore underlying causes of your depression and it can help you get in touch with some of the unrecognized emotions that trigger your depression. As you explore these triggers and the behaviour patterns that result, you can begin to feel better and make some desired changes.
Although the world is very full of suffering,
It is also full of the overcoming of it
Helen Keller (1880-1968)
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Stress
Stress arises naturally at different points in our life.
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Kildare Therapists / Counsellors have training in dealing with stress related issues. C.B.T ( Cognitive behaviour therapy) is one of the most effective forms of therapy. When stress levels get too high for the body it gives us warning signs and one should seek counselling at this stage.
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Work burnout, car driver burnout, the loss of a job/unemployment and other such traumatic instances can leave a person feeling stressed or under pressure.
- Stress is an everyday part of modern life. Medical practitioners believe that stress has a substantial effect on our overall physical well-being. Certain changes in life patterns, work arrangements, schooling arrangements and lifestyle can lead to developing the symptoms of the condition.
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In small amounts it can help you perform and motivate you. Not all pressure is bad. However, continual exposure can leave you feeling nervous and overwhelmed. Accordingly, it is important to monitor the adverse effects of the condition on your body, mind and health..
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It is a normal response to circumstances that make you feel upset, compromised or unbalanced in some way. When you sense a threat or danger whether it is actual or perceived, the body’s defence system kicks in. The process is known as fight-or-flight reaction. This involves fighting the third-party influence or running away from it. Every person deals with it in a different way.
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Unfortunately, for many people the signs come too late. Accordingly, it is very important to be in tune with your body’s response.
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Chronic stresses can leave people with serious health problems. It has the ability to suppress your immune system, raised blood pressure and increase the risk of serious illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes and in some cases cancer.
Stress & chronic stress can lead to other health problems including:
- Sleep problems
- Depression
- Pain
- Digestive problems
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Certain skin conditions
- C.B.T has become the most effective psychological treatment for stress. Some people may enjoy living the high pressure lifestyle. Often times clients will supplement this high pressure lifestyle with an even less suitable diet or personal circumstances. People can sometimes use recreational drugs, caffeine or alcohol as a crutch to support a stressed lifestyle. Short term and long term stress is not good for your body or your mind. Contact Kildare Counselling on (056) 7765966
For more information click here.