What is depression, and how can counselling help?
What is depression?
Depression affects how we feel, think, and behave, ranging from mild to severe.
It often brings persistent feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in life.
Symptoms of Depression
Depression can manifest in various ways, affecting both mind and body. Here are some common symptoms:
Low Mood: While everyone experiences ups and downs, a persistent low mood that doesn’t lift, even with activities that usually bring joy, may indicate something deeper.
Low Energy: Tasks that once felt manageable—work, hobbies, or daily responsibilities—can become overwhelming due to a lack of motivation and energy.
Feelings of Hopelessness: A sense that nothing will improve, making it difficult to take steps toward change or seek help.
Feelings of Worthlessness: Depression can fuel low self-esteem, leading to self-criticism and the belief that you are undeserving of happiness. This can result in isolation from loved ones.
Changes in Sleep Patterns: Sleep disturbances can range from excessive sleeping without feeling rested to struggling with insomnia, further contributing to low energy and mood.
Changes in Appetite: Some may turn to binge eating for comfort, which can impact self-worth, while others may lose their appetite entirely due to exhaustion or forgetfulness, leading to further depletion.
Suicidal Thoughts: When depression feels overwhelming, thoughts of suicide may emerge.
Why should I go to counselling for depression?
If you’ve read the symptoms above, you may have noticed a common thread—each one feeds into the next, creating a vicious cycle. Depression distorts our thoughts, convincing us that there’s no hope, no reason to reach out, and sometimes, that the only way out is to give up.
But I want you to know—that’s not the truth. I have worked in this area for many years, and I can tell you with certainty: there is hope. You are the reason to keep going. Your life matters.
Recovery is possible. You can feel better—more energised, confident, in control, and, most importantly, believe in your own worth again.
You are not alone. If you’re struggling, I encourage you to reach out. Take that first step toward healing today.
- Fritz Perls
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