Twelve top indicators
- Feeling lacklustre, nothing interests you.
- Feeling hopeless and helpless.
- A major event has happened in your life.
- Feeling you have no control of your life.
- No energy, everything requires such an effort.
- Interrupted sleep or sleeping too much.
- Loss of appetite or overeating.
- Unable to concentrate on tasks.
- Feeling overwhelmed.
- Nothing to look forward to.
- Trouble remembering and retaining information.
- This feeling is all too familiar, you have been here before.
The above indicators are taken from clients, and I am a great believer that my clients know best.
CHECKLIST:
Are you taking anti-depressants?
SSRIs (Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors) the more commonly used SSRIs are:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Citalopram (Cipramil)
- Paroxetine (Seroxat)
- Sertraline (Lustral)
The benefits of taking antidepressants, increases the levels or serotonin and noradrenaline which are mood enhancers, but they are rarely beneficial on their own. There are usually deeper underlying issues which has caused the feeling of depression, this is where the talking therapy is beneficial.
THERAPY
Each person has their own history unique to them, the following points I usually cover with a client over a few sessions:
- When did you notice your low mood?
- Can you think of what happened (a single or multiple event) to make you feel this way?
- Is there a history of how you are feeling, if so how far back would you go?
- Are there genetic factors? Family members who also experienced low mood?
- Do you feel in control of your life?
- Do you have the freedom to make your own choices?
- Do you feel under pressure?
- Do you feel guilty?
- Do you feel angry?
- What is missing from your life?
Conclusion:
I decided to present how I work with clients, covering indicators, medication, and points I cover during therapy to those readers who are not entirely sure of how they can help themselves. Often when reading up on help, they face the daunting task of realms of information, which further overload an already overloaded mind. This blog I hope can help the reader to ask a few questions, mull over a few thoughts, and if they so choose, seek help.