Depression is a very common emotional problem. It is thought that depression affects between 5-10% of the population to some extent at any one time, regardless of their status or wealth. In fact, depression has affected many famous people, such as Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Fry. Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression than men.

The depressed state is often characterised by a feeling of low mood, extreme sadness, a loss of energy, motivation and ambition, changes in appetite, decreased physical and social activity, difficulty sleeping, low self-confidence, guilt, shame, anxiety, suicidal ideation, loss of concentration, irritability, avoidance and a general theme of loss and failure.

The good news is that treatment for depression is getting better. There are many different types of treatment, including anti-depressant medication which may be prescribed by a GP and talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which may or may not be combined with medication. Mindfulness Training is also excellent for helping to teach you how to experience your mind and body in a radically new way. It also helps to prevent relapse.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy offers a clear and effective means in which to manage depression by tackling the important role of irrational beliefs, negative thinking and behaviour which may be maintaining the way you feel emotionally. Through this process you will be able to gain better control of your reactions to your personal triggers and master skills that can help you feel less depressed, less often.

Treatment may comprise of conversational and belief change work, direct psychological education, behavioural and homework based tasks. Mindfulness training is also utilised in the treatment of depression to help reduce the risk of relapse, offered either in a group or 1-1 basis.