Depression and Online Counselling
Depression can have significant impacts on various aspects on an individual’s life:
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Physical Health: Depression can lead to various physical symptoms such as constant tiredness, insomnia, changes in appetite, weight gain or loss, and even unexplained aches and pains. In severe cases it can even lead to increased risk of heart disease and other serious conditions.
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Mental Well-being: It can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, and a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed. This can lead to a severe decrease in motivation and productivity.
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Relationships: Depression can affect relationships with family, friends, and significant others. It might cause withdrawal, communication difficulties, or increased dependence on others, which can strain relationships.
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Work or School: Depression can impact productivity, concentration, and motivation, affecting performance in work or school environments. This can lead to job loss or difficulties in academic achievement.
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Daily Routine: Even simple tasks like eating, sleeping, or maintaining personal hygiene can become challenging for those suffering from depression.
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Risky Behaviours: In some cases, depression can lead to risky behaviours such as substance abuse or reckless driving.
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Suicidal Thoughts: In severe cases, depression can lead to suicidal thoughts or attempts.
It is important to understand that depression is a serious illness and not a sign of weakness or something that can be overcome through willpower alone. Seeking professional help is crucial if you are experiencing symptoms of depression.
How to overcome depression
Overcoming depression often involves various strategies and treatments. Some of the most common and effective ones include:
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Psychotherapy: This is often the first line of treatment for depression. There are many modalities that have been shown to be effective for people experiencing depression, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), as well as relational models such as the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) and somatic therapies such as Somatic Experiencing (SE). It is important to note that no single modality is affective for everyone, and that studies consistently show that the single most important aspect of effective therapy is the relationship between clinician and client. People struggling with depression would be wise to research therapeutic models prior to seeking support and choose both a technique and a therapist with whom they resonate.
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Medication: Antidepressants can be effective in managing depression. It is important to work closely with a doctor to find the most effective medication with the fewest side effects.
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Lifestyle Changes: Regular physical activity and healthy eating can help manage symptoms of depression. Additionally, reducing alcohol intake and avoiding drugs is also beneficial.
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Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or tai chi can help reduce symptoms of depression.
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Social Support: Spending time with supportive family members and friends or seeking out new social connections can help. Joining a support group where you can share experiences and feelings with people who are going through the same thing can also be helpful.
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Self-Care: Ensuring you get enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and taking time each day to relax and do things you enjoy are all important aspects of self-care when managing depression.
Remember, overcoming depression often takes time and patience. If you are feeling depressed, it is crucial to seek professional help and not try to deal with it alone. Everyone’s experience with depression is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. It is important to work with your healthcare provider to create a treatment plan that suits your individual needs.
The Kintsugi approach to depression
The Kintsugi approach to depression acknowledges that our struggles and scars are an integral part of our story. We recognize that through our difficulties, we gain strength, resilience, and wisdom. It’s about embracing the idea that our experiences, even the painful ones, shape us into the unique individuals that we are. Instead of feeling ashamed or trying to conceal our mental health challenges, we can learn to celebrate our journey and find beauty in our healing process.
Traditional therapies, like medications, use a medical approach that identifies symptoms and aims to alleviate them. Although this can bring temporary relief, real healing often does not happen because the root cause is not addressed.
Through NARM therapy, you can develop a deeper understanding of your internal emotional states, as well as your patterns of relating to yourself and others. This therapeutic approach supports you in identifying and working through the underlying shame, guilt, and self-blame that often accompany depression. By fostering self-compassion and self-acceptance, NARM can help you build a healthier and more resilient sense of self.
Additionally, NARM therapy emphasizes the importance of healthy and supportive relationships. Our therapists provide a safe and empathetic space for you to explore your emotions and experiences, fostering healing through a relational connection. By developing healthier patterns of relating and creating secure attachments, you can experience a sense of connection and support, which can be vital in addressing depression.
We understand that each person’s experience of depression is unique and we will tailor your therapy to meet your specific needs and goals, providing personalized guidance and support throughout your healing journey.
At Kintsugi Counselling, we believe that symptoms are protective mechanisms that we developed to cope with unbearable situations that happened to us, often when we were very young. As adults, we unconsciously continue to employ these strategies to cope with discomfort even though they no longer serve us. At Kintsugi we help you understand where symptoms like worry and sadness come from, what they mean, and how to overcome and grow from them.
Our primary therapeutic lens is the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), which focuses on the underlying emotional and relational aspects of your depression. NARM recognizes that depression is not solely a biochemical imbalance but can also be influenced by past traumatic experiences, unresolved emotional pain, and disrupted relational patterns.
NARM therapy aims to help individuals understand and heal the root causes of their depression by focusing on the impact of early attachment experiences and how they shape our nervous system and sense of self. Together, we explore how past traumas and unmet needs can contribute to depressive symptoms.