Depression, whether clinically diagnosed as dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder, or comorbid with an anxiety disorder, is a mental health condition with a high rate of prevalence. It is estimated that, over a lifetime, around 15 - 20% of people will experience a form of depression at some point in their lives. I, too, am no stranger to depression, being diagnosed at a relatively young age.

You, too, may be familiar with the enormous impact of melancholia, whether it be the intense dejection, cavernous emptiness, hopelessness, bone-crushing fatigue, chronic sleeplessness, suicidal ideation, self-loathing, and other deeply distressing symptoms associated with this truly unpleasant condition. Thankfully, even though we may not feel it, there is reason to hope.

What can I do? Well, in terms of treatment options, evidence shows that psychopharmological medication, specifically antidepressants, combined with counselling or psychotherapy, is the most effective combination in reducing symptoms. Both Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and person-centred counselling are evidence-based modalities that have been shown to help sufferers heal, grow and live lives of vitality. ACT, in particular, boasts of numerous studies attesting to its efficacy as a reliable intervention.

I can speak from experience of the unparalleled physical and mental exhaustion that plagued me in the throes of depression. Like many others, my treatment consisted of antidepressant medicine and psychotherapy. With exploration aplenty and the practice of an arsenal of skills designed to foster what ACT calls psychological flexibility, my depressive thoughts, feelings and sensations lost much of their potency, liberating me to live my life fully.

If you’re suffering from depression and looking to move forward, please get in touch today to arrange a consultation. I will gently walk you through the process, and, if you feel what I offer is promising, we will start your journey towards recovery.