What is Depression: How Therapy Can Help

Depression affects 3.8% of the global population, according to the World Health Organization. In Singapore, it's more than a personal struggle - it's an economic issue, costing an estimated 2.9% of GDP due to lost productivity, healthcare use, and absenteeism (DukeNUS Medical School).

Depression is not merely a transient feeling of sadness but a complex clinical condition that can have a significant impact on daily functioning and overall well-being. And, if left untreated, it can lead to long-term disability or even suicidality.

This article explores the evolutionary origins of depression, various psychological perspectives on it, the signs and symptoms to watch for, the potential consequences if left untreated, essential elements for successful treatment, and how therapy can play a pivotal role in helping individuals struggling with depression.

It's not an illness, it's a sign that you need to take care of yourself.

Content:

• What Is Depression And Where Did It Come From?

• Recognising Depression: Signs and Symptoms

• Consequences of Untreated Depression

• Overcoming Depression: The Hirsch Therapy Treatment

What is Depression?

Depression is a complex and multifaceted condition that affects a person's thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, often leading to persistent sadness, loss of interest, and a diminished capacity to function. While it may seem purely detrimental, various perspectives suggest it can serve deeper purposes:

• Evolutionarily, as a mechanism for withdrawal, energy conservation, and introspection

• Psychologically, as a response to loss, unresolved inner conflicts, or existential dilemmas

• Cognitively, as a result of distorted thinking patterns.

Across these views, depression emerges not just as a clinical disorder but also as a profound signal prompting individuals to reflect, adapt, and potentially transform.

How To Recognise The Symptoms Of Depression

There are signs and there are consequences.

Depression manifests in a variety of ways, and while symptoms can vary between individuals, there are some common signs to look out for. In the case of depression, it is crucial to address it as soon as possible.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Persistent sadness or low mood

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities normally enjoyed

• Fatigue or loss of energy

• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Changes in appetite or weight (either loss or gain)

• Sleep disturbances (insomnia or oversleeping)

• Restlessness or slowed movement

• Recurrent thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm

Consequences of Untreated Depression

The depressive condition has a vicious tendency to feed itself into an ever-deepening pit. If left untreated, depression can have severe and long-lasting consequences.

Consequences of untreated depression include:

• Chronic emotional distress

• Deterioration in personal relationships

• Loss of productivity or unemployment

• Increased risk of substance abuse

• Physical health problems, including weakened immune functioning

• Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours

In the long term, untreated depression leads to a diminished quality of life, making it harder for individuals to re-engage with meaningful activities and relationships. This highlights the critical nature of addressing depression as soon as the individual or loved ones notice it.

How To Treat Depression Effectively: The Hirsch Therapy Way

By examining the existing literature and drawing from the different conceptualisations of depression, we have found what is needed for recovery. From that, we can identify key elements crucial to address in treatment.

Essential Elements of Successful Treatment

The Therapeutic Alliance: A strong, trusting relationship between the therapist and the client is critical. It allows for open communication, vulnerability, and a sense of safety. How comfortable you feel with your therapists influences engagement with the process; facilitates the process of exploring core issues; and maintains hope for positive change.

Psychotherapy: What can you expect from therapy? Therapy for depression focuses on creating the ideal conditions for reflection and examining your life. Choosing to come for therapy is a commitment to the healing process and creates a sense of accountability to yourself. Therapists are also trained to facilitate your inward journey to discover your path of recovery and return to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Medication: In some cases, antidepressant medications can be prescribed to regulate the internal chemistry of the mind and body to provide an additive effect for psychotherapy. Medications are rarely recommended as a standalone treatment.

Lifestyle Changes: Depression affects both the mind and body. Lifestyle changes address both aspects, promoting a more holistic approach to recovery that can boost the effectiveness of psychotherapy and medication. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and good sleep hygiene can significantly improve mood and energy levels. As an added bonus, these lifestyle changes can also offer an increased sense of control and resilience, which directly challenge the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that are common in depression.

Social Support: A strong network of friends, family, and peer groups provides validation, reduces feelings of isolation, and offers encouragement when depression saps motivation. It also serves as a buffer against stress and helps prevent relapse by fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth. Supportive relationships not only enhance the effectiveness of therapy and medication but also promote long-term resilience by helping individuals manage depressive symptoms and maintain positive lifestyle changes.

How Individual Therapy Can Help with Overcoming Depression

We have come to understand depression as a call to explore the potential for change, rather than a clinical condition or mental disease. Our approach offers clients a safe and personal space for self-reflection, growth and healing, and an environment where they can feel supported in their journey. Ultimately, we want to empower our clients to reclaim their sense of purpose, reconnect with meaningful relationships, and rediscover joy in their lives.

If you, or a loved one, are struggling with depression, please feel free to reach out to us. We would be happy to support your journey in any way that we can.

We offer a 15-minute free online consultation for a risk-free opportunity to ask us about any uncertainties or concerns that you may have. This can also help you figure out if you are comfortable working with our therapist in your very own individual therapy sessions.