Depression can be crippling. Unless you've suffered from it, it's a very hard illness to put into words. I have struggled with depression on and off since my teens and, in my darkest moments, I have likened it to standing at the bottom of a very deep well and only sometimes being able to see any light at the top – if you're lucky. But, of course, like so much in life, depression is different for everyone who suffers with it. It is not my intention to tell you how you feel, but simply to let you know that I do have some understanding of what you may be going through. And, also why I can speak with some authority about the effect Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can have.

According to Mentalhealth-UK.org, around 1 in 10 of us will experience depression at some time in our lives. Despite outdated beliefs that it is just something you should “snap out of”, depression is a real illness; it is very common and it can affect anyone at any time, regardless of class, race or belief. This is because depression, simply put, is a chemical imbalance in the brain – a lack of the good, positive chemicals, if you will. At its mildest, this can result in feeling blue for a period, but at its worst, depression can make you feel suicidal. And it can, according to Harvard Medical University, lead to heart disease and dementia.

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We know that everyone feels sad, upset or overwhelmed at certain times, however when that low feeling stays around for weeks or months persistently rather than a few days, we may begin to suspect it may be something more than merely feeling down. We would always recommend contacting your GP or medical health professional if you are experiencing ongoing symptoms.

There are different types and degrees of depression – and many symptoms. These can vary from person-to-person, but some of the most common symptoms of depression include:

Low mood/sadness/anger
Lack of energy
Loss of interest/enjoyment in usual activities
Dark moods
Changes to sleep patterns
Changes to appetite
Feeling tired or fatigued most of time
Feeling hopeless
Constantly worrying
Low self-esteem/feeling worthless or guilty
Loss of concentration
Withdrawing from friends and family
Not wanting to join in
Loss of libido
Suicidal thoughts

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These are just a few of the many, many symptoms of depression – and some relate to different types of depression, of which there are several. These include:

Major depressive disorder
Persistent depressive disorder – formerly known as chronic depression or dysthymia
Bipolar disorder (BPD) – formerly known as manic depression
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Postpartum/Peripartum depression
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Depressive psychosis

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The degree/type of depression can be established by medical professionals, some of whom may use a scale, such as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) or the Beck Depression Inventory – II (BDI-II), although often this is not necessary as the symptoms presented are generally enough to establish depression. As well as prescribed medication in the form of anti-depressants (SSRIs), depression can be helped through numerous treatments, including making positive lifestyle
changes, talking therapies such as CBT, self-help groups and hypnotherapy. For milder depression you could even try downloading a mental health app; the NHS apps library has many to choose from here
.