Depression, medically known as Major Depressive Disorder, is one of the most common mental health disorders in the world and affect an estimated ¼ of the UK population.
SO WHAT ACTUALLY IS DEPRESSION?
People often use unhelpful phrases such as ‘I’m so depressed’ when really in fact they're just having a bad day. This can sometimes make it difficult to know exactly when your presentation constitutes depression. It is more than feeling a bit down for a few days – depression can only be diagnosed if a client has five or more of the below symptoms, that have been present for at least a 2 week period:
1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
2. Diminished interest or pleasure in all, or nearly all, activities, nearly every day.
3. Significant weight change, either loss or gain, through loss or increased appetite.
4. Slowed down thinking and reduced levels of physical movement (noticed by others).
5. Tiredness, or loss of energy, nearly every day.
6. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, nearly every day.
7. Impacted ability to think/ concentrate or make decisions, nearly every day.
8. Recurring thoughts around suicide or death with no specific plan or intent to act or an actual attempt or considered plan for committing suicide.
These symptoms must also be causing a high level of distress for the person or impacting their ability to engage socially, at work or other important areas of functioning. It is also very important that the patient has not experienced these symptoms as a result of taking substances or as a result of another medical condition.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I HAVE DEPRESSION?
Seek support and read the below guidance to help you in knowing what type of support you might need.
All professional bodies in the UK operating within the Mental Health are governed by evidence based treatment information provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
MILD TO MODERATE DEPRESSION
The NICE guidance for the treatment of depression recommends that for mild depression, antidepressants should NOT be considered as first line treatment as the risk-benefit ratio is poor however, consideration should be made to deliver low intensity psychological interventions – this can be provided by Calm Minds CBT.
MODERATE - SEVERE OR PERSISTENT DEPRESSION
The NICE Guidance recommends a dual approach of antidepressant medication and a high-intensity psychological intervention – this can be provided by Calms Minds CBT.
Your therapist will guide you to select the most appropriate intervention – you are not encouraged to make this decision alone as there are many factors to be considered when making decisions around treatment.
Contact Jodie, Calm Minds CBT Therapist, today at therapy@calmmindscbt.com
Don't be afraid to reach out to ask your questions.
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