Symptoms

Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:

• Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of energy or increased fatigue
• Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech (actions observable by others)
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms must be present for most of the day, nearly everyday for at least two weeks with five or more of the symptoms present - at least one symptom is depressed or loss of interest or pleasure.

Treatment

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80 percent and 90 percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.

Psychotherapy is sometimes used alone for treatment of mild depression. For moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy is often used along with antidepressant medications. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in treating depression. CBT is an evidence based form of therapy which focuses on the present and problem solving.

Self-help

There are a number of things people can do to help reduce the symptoms of depression. For many people, regular exercise helps create positive feeling and improve mood. Getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis, eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol (a depressant) can also help reduce symptoms of depression.

Depression is a real illness and help is available. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of people withdepression will overcome it.

Psychological Symptoms:

Psychological Symptoms:

• Unrealistic or excessive worry

• Unrealistic fears concerning objects, situations or people

• Excessive reaction

• Racing thoughts

• Anticipatory anxiety

• Fear of ‘losing’ control

• Avoidance

Physical symptoms:

• Increased blood pressure and breathing

• Blurring vision

• Dizziness and physical shakiness

• Heat affecting how you feel

• Muscle aches, neck, shoulder, back pain

• Perspiring

• Cold, clammy or sweaty hands

• Dry mouth

• Numbness/tingling of hands, arms, feet or other body part

• Upset stomach / Diarrhoea

• Lump in throat

Emotional Symptoms:

• Sleep disturbances, insomnia

• Feeling on edge

• Feeling out of control

• Tension

• Fatigue – emotional and physical

• Irritable and snappy

• Heaviness and pressure in chest and heart

Anxiety can be provoked by stressful situations, (work, family, pace of life) a traumatic experience (a car crash, panic attack, accident, losing your job, break-up of a relationship) or there can be underlying generalised anxiety which you experience as part of your everyday life.

Anxiety responds really well to therapy. It is so common, affecting one in four. It can be quite a shock to experience anxiety especially if you have never experienced anything like it before. Taking the steps to change it can be daunting but therapy is a wonderful mechanism to help you feel like yourself again.

Eustress

Eustress is healthy for you. It keeps you excited about life. It is basically a desirable form of stress which is healthful and gives a feeling of contentment.

Some of the examples of Eustress are:

• Thrill experienced jumping into the cold sea

• Excitement of buying your first home

• Accomplishing a personal challenge

Stress Triggers

• Internal

• External

• Hidden

• Obvious

• Automatic

Wellbeing Strategies

• Exercise - 3 x’s per week

• Yoga

• Good Sleep Routine

• Rest

• Change Internal Dialogue

• Go outside into nature

• Develop support

• Diet – 3 meals per day, or 6 smaller meals

• Reduce stimulants

• Laugh

Stress is one of the major factors that lead to:

• Cardiovascular disease

• Obesity

• Gastric Ulcers

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Weight gain or loss

As a Work and Organisational Psychologist I can provide evidence based strategies to create a proactive, focused and emotionally flourishing workforce. These include Redundancy Counselling, Change Management, Stress Management, Life-Work Balance, Anti-Bullying, Resilience and Wellbeing Workshops.



Treatments:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Person-Centred Psychotherapy
• Positive Psychology
• Solution-Focused Therapy