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Making Changes

5/2/2015

Be the change that you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

Changing oneself is a difficult business because it doesn’t usually happen very quickly, as it requires a certain amount of persistence and paradoxically a large dose of self-acceptance. It’s not uncommon for people to not like certain aspects of themselves, and if there is an inclination, will try to change themselves into a ‘better’ person.

Developmentally we get conditioned via our families, society and the culture we are embedded in resulting in the creation of our personality that has unique patterns of behaviour, self-images and identifications. This developmental process may result in the creation of characteristics and ways of being, which can be viewed later in life as not fitting our ideal image. These qualities such as: getting angry too quickly, not being patient, judgemental or critical of self or others, being controlling or wanting to be perfect, uncaring, lazy – the list is exhaustive as each of us will have qualities we don’t like about ourselves.

So why is it so hard to change? When we see an aspect of ourselves that we don’t like it’s not as easy as switching off a light and turning on another. We are creatures of habit and these habitual patterns are structured in our being. It’s analogous to a vinyl record. Like the imprinted grooves on a record our patterns of behaviour are imprinted within us. As the stylus follows the grooves on a record and plays a particular song, similarly, a particular stimulus or trigger from our environment sets in motion conditioned patterns of behaviour. The self-deprecating saying “acting like a broken record” sums this up quite well.

The first port of call to start the process of changing a particular aspect/behaviour is to become aware of what is disagreeable. Invariably many of our reactions, behaviours are automatic and out of awareness, so the aim is to cultivate an observing self that is able to watch what is happening internally. Learning to foster this capacity of being mindfully present allows awareness to notice our conditioned response, which in turn permits the possibility of an alternate choice. For instance, if somebody becomes angry and their usual response is to shout at the other person or worst case scenario, lash out violently, the aim is to become aware of the anger which puts a little distance between that which is watching the anger and the emotion itself. As we watch the anger we are less identified with it, which generates a sense of more internal spaciousness, which is the fertile ground that allows choice to arise. In this case not act out the anger and go for walk. Obviously this is easier said than done, but like many things it takes practice, and to use the record analogy, by repeating a new behaviour this creates a new track in the record of our being.

There is another important element to the change process, that is, self-acceptance of one self as one is right now. This is somewhat contradictory to the idea of change through action. However, each is mutually complimentary to the other. Previously it was mentioned that being mindfully aware of oneself was a prerequisite to bringing choice into our awareness. To be mindfully aware requires a non-judgemental acceptance of what is, because the observing self notices without prejudice and allows all experience to be equal. It’s this non critical expanded view which facilitates the possibility of an alternate way of being. If our reactions to our environment are fixed and automatic how can alternatives arise within us if we are closed to other possibilities. Being more mindfully present creates more space within that allows alternate possibilities to emerge, which brings choice into the picture; choice between old or new behaviours. The attitude to cultivate is not to judge that part of ourselves we don’t like, but would like to change. Using the anger example, it’s important to not label the anger as bad, but rather notice that it is there and choose how you want to use the anger constructively.

May this day find you well

Counselling and Psychotherapy Team

What counseling can do for you

24/1/2015

“Surviving in the midst of my shared lived experience feels liberating"

Change in our lives comes about when we loosen our fixed beliefs. This occurs when we are met in a palatable way rather than in a manner that needs to be endured. As Gestalt therapists we approach clients with an attitude of curiosity, openness, exploration and reflection. This supports clients to experience themselves in new ways of relating with others. Clients often say that they feel heard and empathically affirmed around their dread and fear, a kind of, surviving in the midst of their shared lived experience which feels liberating. This is the essence of what can be achieved in therapy.

What you can expect:

We enter into conversation with the intention to learn something new rather than trying to enlighten you. As therapists, attuning to our client’s experience is an attempt to understand how they make unique meaning of their own individual worlds. We reach across the differences and undergo the change ourselves. When words to define feelings and thoughts are stuck or hard to verbalize, we encourage the development of the client’s embodied response to support the deepening of one’s self awareness which often proves supportive and, at times, even liberating. One walks away having had an experience that was hopeful because their words have developed new meaning, become understandable and feelings shared.

Supporting clients at their growing edge – if they reveal an embarrassing story (perhaps feeling some shame), we ask ourselves what they might benefit from to support the unfolding of their story, their emotional story, because this is a space where they can practice sharing their emotional life.

We, as therapists, cannot presume that we have a knowing about clients as their experience is unique to them as individuals. We cannot ever fully comprehend the other’s experience because the manner with which they have made meaning is based on past experiences.

Learning how we co-create experiences opens our awareness to how our every day choices contribute to the events that occur in our lives. If we are dissatisfied with the relationships or the events that occur in our lives, with the right support, we can organise our experiences or interpret them differently.

Sometimes seeing SOMETHING NEW
means seeing SOMETHING OLD
in a NEW WAY!

The Oxford dictionary defines the word “support person” as “to give or be ready to give help to somebody if they need it”.

We can get this type of support from people that we feel comfortable with, that we know will listen with an open, non-judgemental heart.

Emotional Pain

11/12/2014

Dealing with emotional pain is not an easy place to go because when we are in the thick of it there can be additional distress because it can seem as though there is no end in sight. From this perspective physical pain can be more tolerable as there is a sense that it will stop. For some people emotional pain can be so intense that living doesn’t seem worthwhile and for others it can be the reason why they self harm. Self harming is usually done to help cope with emotional pain because physical pain is easier to bear than the intensity of overwhelming emotional distress. If someone self harms by cutting themselves for example, the physical pain releases endorphins giving relief from the emotional suffering.

Invariably we will naturally push away emotional pain, but as it has been mentioned in previous blogs pushing away unwanted feelings and emotions doesn’t really solve anything as what we resist will undoubtedly persist. There are myriad ways we avoid emotional pain and usually this has ‘too much’ associated with it – work, food, alcohol &drugs, exercise, activities and interests, socialising, tv, mobile phones; in fact anything you can think of can be used as a way to narcotise ourselves away from emotional pain. Important to note that this is not a judgement about what people do with their lives but an invitation to the possibility that they may be doing something excessively which may require a rethink and adjustment.

Being with emotional pain

How does one be with emotional pain? Being with it as best you can is the easy answer. Bringing your presence to the emotional pain and befriending it as fully as possible allows the feelings and emotions to flow. This is not about being masochistic, gritting your teeth and toughing it out, but rather taking time to be with emotional pain in a caring way which may mean putting the pain to the side for a while and do something that gives respite or nurtures and then returning when one is able.

Social contact can be an important part of being with emotional pain as spending time with others negates feelings of isolation and validates feelings of being supported. Being around others who are positive and accepting, who can bring laughter and a sense of positivity, creates courage and enthusiasm to continue.

Conversely spending time on your own, to be with oneself, can be a gift that allows a deeper investigation into what the emotional pain has to say. Time alone can allow space to reflect on what’s important, understand what’s happening and tap into potential inner resources. Being alone may entail going into nature, having a weekend away or going on a retreat – all of which offer an opportunity to fully engage the present moment as difficult as that might be.

If you are in situation where emotional pain is overwhelming and too much to bear then contact Lifeline, 13 11 14, for immediate support.

May this day find you well

Counselling and Psychotherapy Team

Are you co-dependent?

15/11/2014

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Co-dependent is a word that gets bandied around fairly regularly, especially in the context of couples, but what exactly does it mean to be co-dependent. In essence, to be co-dependent means that one’s sense of self needs to be validated by another, which means that an individual’s behaviours are focused on another person to bolster their own self-esteem. Some have called co-dependence relationship addiction where there is an over reliance on helping others as a way to achieve satisfaction. This has been succinctly described by the following statement: “if they are okay, then I’m okay”.

The term co-dependent tends to have a pejorative connotation where the negativity is usually placed on an individual who is said to be ‘co-dependent’. A Gestalt Therapy perspective holds that individuals are not islands unto themselves but are interdependent with those around them and the environment they are part of. For somebody to have ‘co-dependant’ relational characteristic they are part of a field where others support and co-create the circumstances that facilitate ‘co-dependent’ behaviours. This blog will continue to use the term ‘co-dependent’, but only for convenience sake and not as a fixed label that identifies someone as being flawed.

What Does It Look Like!

Someone who has a tendency towards co-dependency will focus their attention on helping others at the expense of their own personal needs; where pleasing others has paramount importance resulting in relegated and sacrificed self needs. It’s not that helping others is ‘bad’, on the contrary, helping others can be seen as a selfless and loving act. However, if giving to others is brought about to fulfil and maintain a sense of oneself in order to feel good then this can become problematic. Problematic, because the giving is not done from a place that doesn’t require anything in return, but rather to achieve feelings of self-worth. This can be further exacerbated if the recipient of the giving is ungrateful or takes the giving for granted, which can lead to feelings of resentment.

Co-dependent people can have excellent qualities, such as having the ability to create and maintain relationships, be emotionally astute and cultivate rapport with the most challenging people. Unfortunately, this relational capacity can be done to avoid a sense of loneliness or in order for others to love them in return.

Answering yes to the following questions may indicate a tendency towards co-dependency.

Do you find it difficult saying no to others?
Do you feel uncomfortable receiving help and support from others?
As a child were you the family helper.
Is there resentment when others don’t show gratitude or appreciation for all the help you give?
Are you sacrificing you needs for everybody else?
When helping others do you feel more worthy?
Conversely, if you stopped helping others do you feel guilty and worthless?
Are you considered the dependable one?

If you did answer yes to a number of the above questions this doesn’t imply that there is a problem, rather a need to explore the possibility that your self needs are probably being neglected and therefore a re-evaluation between the balance of meeting others needs and your own is probably a good idea.

If this topic resonates with you and you would like some support then please call one of our therapists.

May this day find you well.

Counselling and Psychotherapy Team

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Difficult Life Events

25/10/2014

“Life is bristling with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to cultivate one's garden.”
Voltaire

Difficult Life Events

It’s an unfortunate truism that life has a tendency to provide experiences that are altogether unpleasant. These difficult life events are usually life changing from both a negative and/or positive perspective. Challenging events shape our lives, mould us into who we are, create our beliefs, structure our personality and create the lens in how we view the world.

It’s not an easy topic to broach because it’s natural for us to want to avoid the consequences of difficult life events. We push them into the background, hide them in our various closets, so the light of day doesn’t shine our awareness on what’s lurking in our past. This is a completely natural thing to do, to suppress hurt, pain, shame, fear, rage, sadness, because at the time we may not have had the skills or the opportunity to react appropriately when the difficult event occurred.

For some people the belief out of sight out of mind is the end of it and one simply moves on. Maybe for some this is the case, but at Counselling and Psychotherapy we don’t fully believe this because if past events come into the category of ‘unfinished business’ then the past does haunt us in ways we may not realise. Echo’s from the past can manifest as mental health difficulties, such as anxiety and depression or physical symptoms like migraines or digestive issues or personality constraints, for example, self-esteem or inhibition.

What Can Be Done!

At Counselling and Psychotherapy we believe that difficult life events don’t have to hold us in their grip thus limiting our potential to be fully ourselves or become the person we envisage. The good news from our perspective is that what is locked in our bodies and minds can be released freeing the life force that’s sealed in maintaining various kinds of symptomology.

How is this achieved? Increasing research is demonstrating the role of the nervous system in connection to bound up energy associated with the ‘unfinished business’ of difficult life events. This locked energy is particularly allied to the sympathetic and part of the parasympathetic nervous system creating the symptoms described above. By gently working with the nervous system through a facilitated process that allows the release of blocked energy ameliorating the manifestations of physical and mental health problems. The release of an overloaded nervous system allows for a corrective adjustment to bring back healthy homeostatic functioning.

If you have experienced difficult life situations and would like counselling support then please contact one of our therapists.

May this day find you well.
Counselling and Psychotherapy Team

Work Ethic verses Ability

11/10/2014

“You get the best effort from others not by lighting a fire beneath them, but by building a fire within”

Bob Nelson

Work Ethic verses Ability

Recent studies are showing where motivation is used to promote effort, as opposed to acknowledging someone’s ability or talent, effects learning outcomes. Studies done by Michigan University where students who were praised for their talents compared to students who were praised because they worked hard seemed to have direct impact on learning outcomes. It appears that students who were praised for innate ability would then attempt easier tasks compared to those students who were praised for their work effort would attempt tasks that were more difficult resulting in improved outcomes.

It seems that complementing about someone’s talent supports beliefs that the brain has a fixed potential, whereas favouring positive feedback about effort or hard work supports the idea the brain has growth potential. Giving student’s messages that reinforce hard work improve learning outcomes and increases desire to strive.

In similar studies done by Carol Dweck students who are motivated via effort were more inclined to look at the test results of higher performing students, seemingly to gain more insight. However, students who were told they were clever tended to compare their results with student’s who got lower scores, probably to maintain their self-esteem. The irony is telling someone they are smart reduces learning capacity.

Making Mistakes, Not Such a Bad Thing!

Studies appear to be proving that we can learn from our mistakes, but it depends on the reaction to the mistake. Those people who were paying attention to their mistakes are able to learn from it. In comparison, those who ignore their mistakes are more likely to repeat it. Again, research is showing that belief systems associated with those who hold the concept that the brain is fixed compared to those who see the potentiality of the brain’s capacity to grow have correlations to outcomes produced by mistakes. People who have a fixed mindset tend to see mistakes as failures, whereas individuals with the growth mindset view mistakes as learning opportunities or part of the learning process.

May this day find toy well.
Counselling and Psychotherapy

Constructive Steps Along the Path of Recovery from Depression

30/9/2014

You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.

Joyce Meyer

Constructive Steps Along the Path of Recovery from Depression

In the last blog some lifestyle choices were highlighted as possible positive contributors to supporting recovery from depression. This blog will continue in a similar vein by exploring the mental dimensions to supporting recovery.

Negative Thinking

One of the challenging aspects of feeling depressed are associated negative thoughts. A mutually feeding downward spiral between feeling depressed and negative thoughts sustain each other. Feeling low can generate negative thoughts which heightens the depressed feelings, resulting in more negative thoughts that in turn sustain the depressed mood. So an important component of recovery is to address these self-defeating thoughts.

Trying to get rid of thoughts is somewhat futile, so saying something like “I’m not thinking that thought ever again” just won’t work because if you resist something it will only persist. Tackling negative thoughts involves not becoming so identified with them, that is, not completely believing what the thought/s are saying. Easier said than done, but like lots of things it’s a skill that requires practice.

Ultimately a thought is just a thought; something that passes through our mind like a cloud that crosses the sky. By watching the thought we disengage from it loosening the identification. By adopting this perspective it becomes easier to work with negative thoughts.

A mind that feels depressed will have plenty of negative thoughts that are usually self-critical in nature and it these thoughts that require some attention.

Say for example we notice a thought that says “I’m useless”, (a common one to have when you are depressed because low motivation can result in not getting things done), and we categorically believe this thought. It can be quite devastating, making us feel worse, which continues to perpetuate the belief “I’m useless”. It’s not possible to get rid of this thought once we have had it, but we can challenge its veracity with reality checking and self-compassion. The reality checking could entail thoughts that challenge this belief by noting areas in your life where you are skilled and competent. The compassion comes by acknowledging to oneself that you are experiencing a difficult period and it’s understandable that life is challenging at the moment.

The trick with negative thoughts is to catch them as cloths that you don’t have to wear and decide to get something else from the wardrobe of your mind that is more appealing, comfortable and attractive to oneself.

The depressed mind can focus on the negative rather than see the positive, so again being aware when negativity is trying to rule the roost is the first step to recognise that there may be an alternative. For example, when reflecting on the day’s events it’s more than likely that there will be some positive elements, such as an interaction or something that made you smile. It can be easy to forget these, so being conscious of those times adds light to the darkness.

When the depression feels really thick and there seems to be no respite from the darkness focusing on a positive memory such as a holiday or an interaction with a loved one will bring associated positive feelings, which can give some alleviation from the depressed feelings.

To summarise, it’s possible to unshackle the chains of negative thoughts through challenging their truth and seeking more positive alternatives. However, if you find yourself not coping with your depression please call Lifeline, 13 11 14 for immediate help or contact one of our therapists for counselling support.

May this day find you well.
Counselling and Psychotherapy Team

Pathways to Recovery from Depression

25/9/2014

"It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness."
Eleanor Roosevelt

Pathways to Recovery from Depression

Whilst exploring ways to recover from depression it becomes evident that there is a fair dose of paradox in the suggestions of how to assist recovery and the actual symptoms of depression. Recovery from depression requires the mobilisation of our life force that is stuck in the depressed state. Unfortunately that is where the paradox lies because depression, as anybody knows who has had depression or is experiencing depression, finding motivation to do anything ranges from hard to extremely hard.

Even though it may be hard it’s not beyond the realms of possibility to take steps, according to one’s capacity, along the path of recovery from depression. Here are some useful ideas that may help this journey.

Social Engagement

Feeling depressed can reduce the desire to stay connected to family and friends. The desire to withdraw and isolate is not an uncommon response to feeling depressed. However, keeping oneself isolated and alone can worsen the depressed feelings. We are social creatures so an important part of recovery from depression is to stay in touch with family and friends. Let people who you trust and feel safe with know that you are struggling with depression. Talking about your feelings with family and friends lets you know that you are not alone, especially if there is shame about what you are experiencing. It’s important to try to keep up with social activities as isolation exacerbates depression.

Reaching out to others via email, telephone, social media are ways to stay connected. Joining a group with a shared interest or volunteering are also ways to kindle feelings of worth and meaning.

If family and friends are not available then participating in a group with others who are also struggling with depression can be very helpful as again this can alleviate feelings of loneliness by knowing that others are struggling with the same difficulties. If this is not an option then seeking professional help from counsellors and therapists to receive positive relational contact concerning the challenges of depression.

Looking After Yourself

It can be easy to neglect oneself when depression is syphoning off desire to do anything constructive. It’s the activity of doing the opposite of what one feels like doing that supports recovery from depression, so engaging in exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, doing relaxation exercises can provide natural anti-depressants.

Exercise: It’s well known that exercising improves mood due to the release of endorphins, the brains natural feel good chemical. Going for a walk each day or at least a few times a week can have positive benefits. As well doing a mild aerobic exercise like walking or swimming, taking a gentle yoga or tai chi class can also have a positive impact on depression.

Food: Eating well and avoiding comfort food such as processed food can affect the way we feel. Vitamin B deficiencies have been shown to impact on peoples mood particularly folic acid and B 12 which create depressed feelings. Taking a supplement or eating leafy greens, eggs, beans and chicken maintain vitamin B levels, so negating this possible contributor to feeling low.

Omega 3 fatty acids from fish, such as salmon, sardines and trout are a rich source of this vital nutrient. Omega 3 has been shown to provide a big improvement to one’s mood.

Sleep: Not getting enough sleep will impact on your mood and will no doubt make depression even more challenging. Lack of sleep increases irritability, fatigue and sadness. The recommended amount of sleep is 7-9 hours per night. A coping strategy to low energy and motivation is to increase caffeine use or other stimulants. However, this can impact on sleep patterns, so it’s recommended to cut down drinking coffee or soft drinks such as coke in the evenings to allow the body time to metabolise these chemicals.

These are just a few helpful tips as part of a wholelistic perspective on depression. More information will come in the next blog. If you find yourself not coping with your depression please call Lifeline, 13 11 14 for immediate help or contact one of our therapists for counselling support.

May this day find you well.

Counselling and Psychotherapy Team

Causes of Depression

25/8/2014

It seems that the exact cause of depression is unknown, but there are definitely factors which seem to precipitate the possibility of experiencing depression. Having said this, depression like other mental health challenges, vary from person to person, so there is no direct causative factor. It is also worth noting, generally speaking, no one event causes depression, but rather there are a number of contributing factors. These factors can be divided into life events and personal factors.

Life Events:
Significant life events can shape our lives and none more so than challenges that are stressful or traumatic in nature. So having a serious accident, experiencing sustained stress, conflict or abuse in relationships, being unemployed for long periods, death and loss, serious illness to name some can lead to the possibility of depression for those who may have a predisposition or contributing personal factors.

Recently there has been more press coverage about the impact of climate change and the seeming consequences to the environment and the human species. As a result some people are feeling powerless and a sense of despair about the future, which has resulted in people feeling depressed. It’s being coined climate change depression.

Personal Factors
If depression has occurred in previous generations then there is a possible genetic predisposition to this mental illness, but again this is not a given. Research indicates an increased possibility for depression if the life events described above are experienced. Even then this may not occur as each individual has different ways of coping with life’s roller coaster events.

Personality factors may be part of the equation that equate to depression. For instance, someone who worries a lot or has a perfectionist streak or has low self-esteem or plagued by negative thoughts could have a propensity towards being depressed.

Problematic drug and alcohol use can both lead to depression and be the consequence of depression. Again there isn’t an exact causative factor that one leads to the other, but there is a potentiality that depression may eventuate as a result of drug and alcohol use.

Gestalt therapy has its own perspective on depression. Not that it disagrees with the possible causative factors mentioned above rather it holds the diagnosis itself more lightly, as labels can have a pejorative connotation that has the possibility of neatly pigeon holing somebody as being a particular way. In Gestalt we will tend to say a person is ‘depressing’ themselves rather than they are depressed. What this means is that an individual is depressing their emotional energy/life force in relationship to their environment as a means to adjust to particular circumstance/s. This creative adjustment can be enacted due to recent events or events that occurred in the past.

Where the creative adjustment occurs due to a recent event, such as the loss of a partner, then withholding ones’ energy and drawing it inwards allows for this significant event to be addressed appropriately. This ‘depressing’ action facilitates conservation of energy and reduces activities that waste their resources allowing more time and space to recoup and readdress their life direction.

Due to circumstances in the past, such as incidents that occurred during childhood, it may have been completely appropriate to withdraw emotional energy, for instance, where personal safety was paramount. These historical events, if they are not dealt with at that time, become patterned in neural pathways forming into emotional schemas. In certain situations or whilst experiencing particular events can lead to the reactivation of these schemas resulting in depression or “depressing’ activity.

Interestingly, neuro science theory on depression has shown that some individuals have a deficit in neuroplasticity. The nervous system loses its flexibility to adapt to certain situations – they become fixed. This may account for some individual’s genetic predisposition to depression where previous generations have not effectively worked through the causative reasons behind their depression thus passing on the susceptibility. The use of antidepressants and psychotherapy can be used to counter this fixed neuroplasticity and facilitate renewal of the nervous system to become more adaptive and flexible.

If depression is part of your life and you would like support then please call one of our therapist who would be happy to assist you. If you require immediate support then please call Lifeline 13 11 14.

May this day finds you well
Counselling and Psychotherapy Team

What is Depression

12/8/2014

On a global scale it is estimated by the World Health Organisation that 350 million people experience depression. In Australia, Beyond Blue quote a figure stating that in any one year around a million people will suffer some form of depression. Many people who experience depression also have suicidal thoughts and unfortunately at least six Australian’s will take their own life each day, whilst 30 more will have attempted to cease their existence.

Most of us will periodically feel sad, low and down, which is a normal part of human life. However, for others these feelings can persist for longer periods, sometimes years, which leads to the experience of depression.

Clinical depression is classed as a mood disorder, which occurs when someone’s mood is persistently low, sad or empty. The consequences of feeling this way impact on how you think, behave and interact in the world. People with depression can have great difficulty doing normal day-to-day activities, and at its extreme make one feel as though life is not worth living. For people who haven’t experienced depression it can be difficult to understand when someone who is close or dear to them retreats, shuts down and hides away from the world. Unfortunately depression is viewed by some as a weakness of character and believe that ‘they’ should just get on with their lives. However, it just isn’t as simple as that and these attitudes only contribute to the shame and stigma of mental illness.

How people experience depression can vary from person to person, but there are general key indicators, such as, loss of interest and motivation; feelings of hopelessness/worthlessness; loss of energy and pleasure in activities; bouts of crying; changes in appetite and weight; impact on sexual interest; physical aches and pains; anxiety; cognitive difficulties in concentrating and thought processes.

There are a number of types of depression that have there own particular characteristics. These are:

Major depression or clinical depression that produces symptoms outlined above. Major depression has the following sub categories:
Melancholia which is a severe form of depression where an individual gains almost no pleasure from any activity. It is also indicated by a person appearing to move more slowly.
Psychotic depression has the depressed characteristics described previously, but there is also a distorted view of reality that is delusional, such as seeing and hearing things others can’t. There may be paranoid thoughts and beliefs associated with this type of depression.
Antenatal and Postnatal Depression is experienced by women either during pregnancy or after the birth. There are a number of mitigating factors that contribute to this form of depression. It is a common experience for women to have the “baby blues” (80%) due to hormonal changes but this usually ends relatively quickly, whereas for others (16%) this continues into depression.
Bipolar Disorder or manic depression has the depressed component but also the mania aspect, which is characterised by increased energy, reduced need for sleep, talking fast, feeling good and behaviour that can be out character.
Cyclothymic Disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder with chronic oscillating moods between hypomania and depressive moods that continue for two years or more. The episodes of depression and mania are of shorter period than bipolar disorder, but there are also durations of normality.
Dysthymic Disorder is experienced similarly to major depression but the symptoms are less harsh. Dysthymia endures much longer than major depression, over two years.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) describes the condition caused by changes in seasonal patterns, relating to levels of day light. Someone who has this mental health difficulty may experience both depression and mania at the end of a season, but it is usually characterised by depression at the onset of winter. In Australia this is an uncommon diagnosis due to day lengths not being short compared to Northern Hemisphere countries that have colder climates.

If depression is part of your daily experience and you would like support for this then please call one of our therapists.

May this day find you well
Counselling and Psychotherapy Team

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