It’s normal to experience sadness in our lives. But, sometimes, that sadness can start to overwhelm us and even take-over everything else in our lives. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) can be thought of as a depressed mood and /or a lack of interest or pleasure in things. Some people describe depression as an inability to feel anything or a cold and distant feeling (one poem refers to it as “a silence like death”). Others describe it as an intense sadness. When making a decision about whether to seek-out psychological therapy for depression, consider whether you have been experiencing some of the following common symptoms:
- Weight loss or gain
- Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive tiredness)
- Feeling worthless
- Feeling guilty
- Lack of motivation
- An inability to concentrate
- Indecisiveness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Feeling physically agitated or incapable of excessive movement
There is a strong link between depression and anxiety. Often, people who seek-out therapy for depression also need a psychologist who can treat their anxiety. The clinical psychologists at Clarity specialise in treating what is referred to as “comorbid” conditions (meaning treating people with more than one presenting problem or complex treatment needs).
What Causes Depression?
Like most mental health problems, there is no single cause for depression. In most cases, people have a genetic predisposition toward it, which is activated by environmental factors. In simpler terms, you may have inherited something that can cause depression, but only if certain things happen to you at some point in your life (e.g., certain life events, the influence of friends or family on personality, attitudes, and styles of thinking, or traumatic events). Through psychological therapy for depression, you can come to understand what factors led to your current depression.
Therapy for Depression at Clarity, Carlton
At Clarity, we understand that seeking-out psychological therapy for depression can be a daunting task. Especially when you consider two common symptoms of depression are a lack of motivation and indecisiveness. If you can find the strength to take the first step, the second step won’t be as difficult. Working with your clinical psychologist, you can learn the skills to get out of your depression and back to living a rich, full, and meaningful life.
Located centrally in Carlton, clients from across Victoria can access our services. Contact us on 9850 7334 to make an appointment.
