Depression and Therapy

Feeling low for a short period is a normal part of life but when lack of motivation becomes intrusive and affects how we function, it may be time to look more closely. 

When does feeling low for a short time become depression?

Depression is marked by its persistency.  This is a low mood you cannot shake off. It can often affect your sleep, destroy any motivation for activities you used to love, make decision-making impossible which can matter at work. It can be an intense fatigue and loss of energy and an inability to talk to those we love. If depression runs unchecked, it can lead to feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. It has been described as being stuck in the ‘twilight zone’. Depression can be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. 

If you can’t shake your low mood and you feel it is tipping into depression, then therapy may help. My psychodynamic approach is a talking therapy that gives you time and space to uncover how these feelings started – sometimes triggers for low mood can start way back in our childhood. Depression can sometimes hold value – it helps you slow down and pay attention to the deeper levels of your psyche. Together, we can begin to explore and engage with these depressive thoughts and take steps to understand its meaning.

If you feel that psychotherapeutic counselling could help with your low mood or depression, please do make contact by the form on the website or email me at: sarahmcmurraycounselling@gmail.com.

Taking small steps to combat low mood

It is also important to take small steps to self-care to help combat depressive moods. There are many simple tweaks to your lifestyle: try and get outside – especially important if you work from home, limit alcohol/ drugs and eat well. There are two other things that I find can be useful:

1) The Pomodoro Method. Proven to help with functionality and concentration. You work for 20 mins and then rest for 5 and repeat. Breaking down overwhelming tasks can make them feel more manageable. There are apps that the NHS recommend that work on this principle: Todoist, Toggle and Engross.

2) You know what I am going to suggest - dial down the volume on social media. Without a doubt, the ‘compare and despair’ aspect of scrolling through seemingly perfect lives leads to feelings of failure. Note your feelings as you scroll and actively mute any feeds that you feel upset your balance.