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Dundee Counselling
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Depression

Depression has some of the following characteristics:

  • Diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
  • Mental and physical agitation or lethargy
  • Loss of or increase in appetite and significant weight loss or gain
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Depressed mood most of the day nearly every day
  • Insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Reduced ability to concentrate or indecisiveness
  • Suicidal ideation

The essential feature is a depressed mood and/or loss of interest or enjoyment in customary activities that represents a change from previous functioning and that persists for two weeks or more.

Your GP is the first person you should speak to about depression if you are experiencing these symptoms. They can offer a listening ear and prescribe mood regulating medication. Often they will refer you for counselling because although the medication can improve mood regulation, there may be underlying issues within your life that left unaddressed may be fueling the depression. Regular exercise is also effective in treating depression.

Studies have attempted to determine if medication, counselling, exercise or a combination of these are most effective for dealing with depression. The only definitive results seem to be that people respond differently to each treatment. Having an open mind to these possible courses of treatment may be the best advice we can give you. Try them out and see what works best for you.

Addictions
Anger
Anxiety
Bereavement
Depression
Gender and Sexuality
Panic Attacks
Relationship Problems
Shame
Suicidal Thoughts
Trauma and Abuse

Related

Addictions
You may find that your continued involvement with a substance or activity, despite its negative consequences, is a sign of addiction, which requires understanding and addressing the roots of the issue in healthier ways.
Anger and Conflict
Conflict in relationships escalate through three stages: complaint is expressing dissatisfaction, criticism involves identifying recurring behavioral patterns, but contempt, the most toxic stage, attacks a person’s character, leading to a destructive ‘you versus me’ dynamic
Anxiety
If you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety such as apprehension, tension, or excessive worry, it’s important to talk to your GP and consider counselling, as it can provide valuable support and strategies to address underlying contributing factors and manage anxiety effectively.
Bereavement
In the heart-wrenching journey of grieving a loved one, counselling can be a vital support, helping individuals navigate the intense emotions associated with the Five Stages of Grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.
Gender and Sexual Identity
If you have questions about your gender or sexuality, deeply intertwined with your self-identity, counselling can offer a supportive environment to enhance your self-awareness, navigate societal challenges, and gain a clearer understanding of your true self.
Panic Attacks
If you’re experiencing intense fear, palpitations, or other symptoms of panic attacks, seek help to process the contributing factors to the panic and explore core beliefs that may be adversly affecting your mental health.