Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy for Depression

When you are depressed everything can feel like an effort, it can be difficult to imagine how things will ever improve. Depression doesn’t have to be forever, even though recovery can often take time. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy for depression supports you to make sense of your feelings of sadness and hopelessness and explore ways to move forward to a more positive and hopeful way of being.

What is depression?

From time to time, we can all feel sad or have a low mood. However, if you are suffering with intense emotions such as sadness, hopelessness, numbness, despondency, low self-esteem and anxiety for long periods of time, this can indicate that you are suffering from depression.  Depression is a long lasting low mood disorder. It affects our ability to do everyday things, feel pleasure or take interest in activities.

What causes depression?

Depression is a common condition, some may experience it due to a particular stressful situation or event, but for others depression may develop gradually over time, or an episode may seem to occur out of the blue, for no obvious reason.

The causes of depression are complex and not fully understood; a number of factors can lead to depression. There is often more than one reason, and these will be different for different people.

These may include:

Things that happen in our lives

It can be a disappointment, a frustration or a distressing event like a loss of someone – or something  – important to you  for instance  a bereavement, divorce or losing a job.

Life’s transitions

• Before or following the birth of a baby:Pre Natal-Depression / Post Natal Depression
• As we age:The realisation that we have lost our vigour, youth, opportunities etc
• After the ending of a significant period in our life: school or universirt, retirement

Circumstances

If you are alone, have no friends around, are stressed, have other worries or are physically run down, you are more likely to become depressed.

Personality

Some of us seem to be more vulnerable to depression than others. This may be because of our genetic makeup, because of experiences early in our life, or both.

Lifestyle choices

Regular heavy drinking makes you more likely to get depressed

Physical Illness

These include:

• life-threatening illnesses like cancer and heart disease
• long and/or painful illnesses, like arthritis
• viral infections like ‘flu’ or glandular fever – particularly in younger people
• hormonal problems, like an under-active thyroid.

Am I depressed, do I need psychotherapy for depression?

We can all experience depression differently, and it can feel difficult to distinguish depression from the normal highs and lows of life. However, the more you identify with the list below and the stronger the feelings, the higher the likelihood that you’re suffering from depression rather than a more fleeting sense of ‘feeling low’.

Common symptoms of depression:

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness/helplessness
• Feelings of hopelessness/pessimism
• Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
• Overeating or appetite loss
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
• Persistent sadness, anxiety, or “empty” feelings
• Suicidal thoughts and fantasies

If you are experiencing a number of the above symptoms it is important that you visit your GP or seek psychological help.

Anti-depressants may be prescribed by your GP or psychiatrist depending on your symptoms, sometimes in addition to therapy.

It is not uncommon to have thoughts of harming yourself and these can be quite frightening.  It is important to talk about how you feel with someone you trust.

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy for depression

Psychoanalytic approach to depression means that you would be working with an experienced therapist who is interested in listening to you and helping you explore   your feelings of sadness and hopelessness hoping to jointly understand how your past experiences may be affecting your life today. This therapeutic process helps you find new ways of thinking about your past, present and future.

Psychotherapy for depression with Agata Pisula

I offer a confidential, safe and highly professional relationship in a caring and containing environment where you can discuss your situation and feelings of depression without fear of judgment.

Some helpful information about dealing with depression

Rethink Depression
A helpful resource of articles and guides on all areas of depression both for those suffering and for those supporting
Rethink Depression

HelpGuide
Mind offer really helpful insights and suggestions to help you with your anxiety and feelings of panic
HelpGuide