What is depression?
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Depression is more than feeling sad for a short time. It’s a serious mental health condition that can deeply impact every part of your life. It often makes it hard to enjoy even the simplest pleasures. It’s common to experience depression and anxiety together.
It affects how you feel, think and manage day-to-day life. You may stop doing activities you used to love, struggling to sleep or eat properly. You may feel exhausted no matter how much rest you get. Things that once felt simple, like cooking a meal or taking a shower, can become overwhelming.
Millions of people experience depression, which can leave you feeling isolated, empty, and disconnected from the world around you. For some, depression can bring about thoughts of self-harm or suicide. It can strain relationships, affect your work performance, and make it hard to maintain a sense of normality. Supporting someone with depression can be difficult for friends and family.
Depression doesn’t always have an obvious single cause and may develop for multiple reasons. Some people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in winter months and some mothers go through Antenatal or Postnatal Depression, during or after pregnancy.
You are not alone and depression is treatable, so it’s important to get help. Many people get better, find relief and are able to rebuild their lives. With the right support, you can regain control and begin to enjoy life once more.
Depression affects 1 in 6 people globally
In Britain, 7.8% meet the criteria for mixed anxiety and depression diagnosis
Depression affects 3 in 100 people at any time
Adults under 30 are the most likely to experience depression
What causes depression?
There isn’t one single cause of depression; it’s usually brought on by a mix of different factors. Understanding these causes can help you or your loved ones find the best way forward.
Genetic and biological factors
If depression runs in your family, your risk of developing it is higher. Brain chemistry plays a role too. Imbalances in chemicals like serotonin and dopamine are closely linked to depressive symptoms.
Life events
Significant events that disrupt our lives can trigger depression. Losing a loved one, going through financial difficulties or experiencing long periods of stress can result in depression. Loneliness and long-term, chronic health problems can also be difficult to cope with and increase the risk of depression.
Lifestyle
Poor lifestyle habits, such as not getting enough exercise, having an unhealthy diet, or poor sleep, can contribute to the onset of depression. These habits can also make existing mental health challenges worse. This creates a vicious cycle that makes depression more difficult to manage.
Gender and age
Women are twice as likely to experience depression compared to men, often due to hormonal differences and social pressures. They may experience perimenopausal depression and postnatal depression. They are also more likely to be carers, which can result in more stress, anxiety and isolation.
Men are less likely to have strong social networks and often find it harder to discuss their feelings. They are almost half as likely as women to access NHS talking therapies. They may experience different symptoms of depression, like irritability, anger and aggression. They can use ‘escapist’ behaviours, like throwing themselves into work, rather than dealing with feelings before they build up.
Certain groups, such as teenagers and older adults, face a higher risk of depression. These periods of life are often full of various life changes. For some people these challenges can be difficult to manage.
The symptoms and effects of depression
Depression hugely affects how you feel emotionally. But it also has far-reaching effects on your physical health, mental clarity, and overall ability to function.
How Depression Feels and Acts
When you’re depressed, it’s common to feel overwhelmingly sad, hopeless and disconnected from the world. Activities that you used to enjoy can seem meaningless and stop bringing you pleasure. You might have drifted away from favourite hobbies or sports. You might feel worthless or excessive guilt, with no self-confidence.
Depression can also cause physical symptoms like changes in appetite, sleep problems, and unexplained aches or pains.
People often experience symptoms of depression and anxiety together. Concentration becomes difficult, and you can feel tired a lot, no matter how much sleep you get.
Daily Short-Term Effects
Depression can make it hard to stay productive at work or school. You might find yourself missing days or struggling to complete tasks. This can build up and affect your self-confidence further.
Socialising can feel draining, so you might stop making plans with family and friends. Even replying to a text or message can feel too much. You might struggle to explain your feelings. Other people might not know what you’re going through and stop getting in touch, which can gradually make you feel more lonely.
Long-Term Effects
Without treatment, depression can have serious long-term consequences. It can lead to problems with alcohol or drug use as people try to block things out. Sufferers may struggle to manage finances and bills, especially with a job loss.
Relationships
Depression can deeply strain relationships as you may not seem the same person. You may be irritable or frustrated over minor things. Depression can also cause you to lose interest in sex. Even if other people have realised something is wrong, you might find it difficult to communicate to friends and loved ones.
Self-harm and suicidal feelings
Some people use self-harm as a way of coping with their feelings. But this doesn’t help in the long term and can be dangerous.
Depression can also lead to suicidal thoughts. You may think about suicide or make a plan to end your life. These feelings can be scary and difficult to talk about. However, it’s important to recognise their seriousness early and seek help.
How can you manage or treat depression?
Managing depression is possible and you don’t have to face it alone. With the right mix of effective treatments, many people find relief and live a fulfilling life.
Medication
Antidepressants can help to regulate your brain’s chemical balance, easing depressive symptoms. Your GP can guide you in finding the right medication for you.
Talking therapies
Various forms of therapy support like CBT and hypnotherapy can teach you how to change negative thought patterns. With the support of a therapist, you can develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving. This helps you cope better with life’s challenges in the long term.
Lifestyle changes
Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper sleep are all crucial for improving your mental health. Avoiding alcohol and drugs is also essential as they can worsen symptoms.
Support networks
Sharing your feelings can often make you feel better, while having someone listen makes you feel less alone. Having friends or family you can talk to can make a big difference in managing depression. Some people find it easier to talk with people they aren’t as close to.
A support group brings you together with others who understand what you’re going through and can share ways to stay well. They might be online or in-person. These can vary from specific mental health groups, to those that support specific industries or professions. For instance:
Mental Health Motorbike – supporting bikers and their families
Charity for Civil Servants – supporting current, former and retired civil servants
Men’s Sheds – encouraging men to come together to make, repair and repurpose items
Looking after your brain
Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing can help reduce stress and improve your emotional clarity. Find more ways to maintain a healthy brain.
When to seek medical advice
If you’ve been feeling low for more than two weeks or if you’re experiencing thoughts of self-harm, it’s important to speak to a doctor. They can assess your symptoms and help you find the best treatment plan to get you on the road to recovery.
How can hypnotherapy help with depression?
Hypnotherapy for depression offers a unique approach by encouraging you to focus on the future rather than dwelling on past problems. It combines elements of psychotherapy with hypnosis, guiding you towards positive change.
During a session, the therapist will help you enter a relaxed, focused state of mind. In this state, you’ll work together to visualise the future you want, focusing on your goals rather than what’s holding you back. Positive suggestions and visualisation are used to build a more optimistic mindset.
Benefits of hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy for depression encourages a shift towards more positive thinking, which can reduce symptoms. With regular sessions, you may start to feel more hopeful, motivated and engaged in life.
Hypnotherapy can improve sleep, increase resilience, and strengthen your relationships. These benefits to your overall wellbeing can make you less susceptible to depressive feelings in the future.
Everyone’s experience with hypnotherapy and depression is different. Some people notice changes after just a few sessions, while others might need more time to feel the full benefits. The number of sessions will depend on your personal needs and progress.
If you’re looking for a different way to manage depression, hypnotherapy could be a valuable tool in your recovery. It offers a way to reclaim control over your mental health and move towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.
Our Depression Specialists
Benn Baker-Pollard
Sittingbourne
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Emma Bancroft
Rainham, Kent
Emma Treby
Mid Devon
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Peter Ely
Islington
Victoria Anderson
County Durham
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
