View
216
Download
1
Category
Tags:
Preview:
Citation preview
Kim Hamilton
Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist
Depression and other symptoms
Anxiety
Stress
Depression
Three interrelated symptoms
Anxiety Fear of possible dangers
Stress too much at once
Depression
Depression can be experienced in a mild form lasting hours or days or it can be completely debilitating with major symptoms lasting years
and all points in between
The Spectrum of Depression
Chemical or Hormonally induced depression
Genetic factors (are some people “wired” for depression?)
Life experiences and trauma (too much fear in our early years)
Depression; possible causes
Depression can result in addictive behavior
All addictions are a desperate attempt to deal with painful symptoms
Addiction; a self-medicated response to anxiety
Most often all these symptoms are the result of other underlying, more important psychological issues
As with a high temperature, aching joints and nausea that is not the illness it’s self but could be the symptoms of many different illnesses
Depression Anxiety and Stress
“I suffer from depression” is only true in part
What is suffered from is more than the symptom it is the underlying issue that causes depression
Depression Anxiety and Stress
Symptoms can completely mask the underlying issues, so they are never recognised or treated
Symptoms
Depression Anxiety and Stress
Very often these symptoms take on the central focus in a person's life becoming an never ending cycle of illness and unsuccessful treatment
Uni-polar; Some changes / swing in mood and behaviors
Bi-polar; Swings between mania and depression “Manic depression”
Endogenous; Caused by trauma
Types of depression
Has anyone never felt some of these symptoms at sometime?
Depression
Depression; Treatments
Depression can be successfully treated with a combination of treatments that change thinking and feelings by changing behavior
Depression; dealing with underlying causes
Counselling and Psychotherapy can have good outcomes in treating the underlying issues
This can include the help we get from talking to friends and family
We can’t ignore symptoms
Psychological symptoms can and should be treated at the same time as treatment with talking therapy
Treating the symptoms
Taking responsibility for getting well
This is often the first task of counselling
But not ever saying; “just pull yourself together!”
Aim of effective treatment
Anti-depressants
These aim to reduce symptoms to enable other treatments to work more effectively
Often they are seen as the only solution
Side effects are experienced at the start of treatment, long term (more than 2/3 years) use reduces their effectiveness
Depression; treatments
Depression; do’s and don’ts
How we can help our friends and family who are suffering from depression?
Or how can we help ourselves?
Don’t ask them to do too much at once
Don’t show impatience
Don’t undermine their emotional experience
Don’t compare them to others
Don’t say “its time you got over this”
Don’t get caught up in their depression, it can be infectious
Don’ts
Encourage activities that they are good at to build self-worth
Invite them to social events to build confidence
Give them responsibilities to help them see themselves as helpers not victims
Encourage health sleeping, eating and exercise
Notice triggers points that can increase or cause depressive episodes and talk about them Make them laugh
Do’s
Overcoming depression
It is important to concentrate on what is possible to change and not worry about what is impossible
Identify the underlying root cause issues
Appropriate use of medication
Work on changing to positive behaviors
Be prepared to have setbacks
Overcoming depression
Overcoming depression
If you change your behavior you will feel differently
Why then is it so hard to overcome depression?
Why are so many people depressed?
Why is depression the most common psychological illness?
Overcoming depression
There is a culture of looking outside of ourselves for solutions; rather than doing it for ourselves
Some people identify with their illness even when it causes them pain, they see it as who they are
They can be anxious of the changes being well will bring
We can falsely make our life experiences the sum of our identity
Overcoming depression
Overcoming depression
Now the most important part...
The church has understood the importance of psychological therapies since the 1970’s
All gospel centered psychotherapy must point towards participating in the Atonement of Jesus Christ
Psychotherapy is to help take down the barriers that prevent this
A Gospel Approach
Mental health problems could be understood as the pain we suffer when we becoming caught in a false identity
When we allow our fears and anxieties to shape who we are , our real potential is lost
A Gospel Approach
A Gospel Approach
Healing comes from discovering our true eternal identity
www.nhs.uk
www.ldstherapy.co.uk
www.psychotherapydarlington.co.uk
Useful websites
Recommended