Depression is typically characterised by feelings of sadness, apathy and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities and low mood. It can lead to many short and long term emotional and physical problems, especially if it remains untreated.
What are the typical symptoms of depression?
An individual with depression will typically have shown a loss of interest or pleasure in their normal daily activities for two weeks or more. This change in mood represents a shift from the individual’s personal baseline and will result in general functional impairment, be it social, occupational or educational.
To obtain a diagnosis of depression at least fiveof the following symptoms need to be present every day:
● depressed mood or irritable most of the day
● reduced interest or pleasure in most activities
● change in sleep pattern – either too little or too much (insomnia/hypersomnia)
● general fatigue or discernible energy loss
● feelings or worthlessness or excessive/inappropriate guilt
● diminished ability to think or concentrate
● indecisiveness
● suicidal thoughts
So where does cognitive behaviour therapy have a place in this?
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has the perspective that the state of mind of the depressed is directly correlated to their thought patterns. Thoughts that are negative can directly affect:
● mood
● one’s sense of self
● potentially one’s physical health
The ultimate goal of CBT, in this situation, is to assist the depressed individual to identify and challenge these negative thoughts. In so doing the individual is encouraged to alter behaviour patterns that are linked to negative thoughts. This will result in an improvement in mood.
Feeling of Immobilisation – the symptom or cause of depression?
A major symptom of depression is a feeling of immobilisation which features a loss of interest or enjoyment in previously enjoyed activities with associated low motivation and energy levels. This feeling may be a symptom of depression or it may be the cause.
The fewer activities one participates in, the less one feels like doing and the more depressed one feels. It is a vicious circle that acts to prolong depression.
Become more active and beat depression!
CBT has found, along with other techniques, that scheduling activities can act to re-energise a client with depression and make a significant impact on recovery. This technique involves monitoring and recording daily activities and, at a later point, scheduling an increase in active participation in activities.
This generally takes 4-8 weeks before reduced symptoms of depression are seen.