Key facts

• Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression.
• Depression usually involves persistent feeling of low mood and a loss of interest or enjoyment in day to day life.
• CBT has been proven to be an effective treatment for depression and can equip sufferers with the ability to stave off future episodes of depression.

Symptoms and Experiences

Depression is a very common illness. The World Health Organisation reports that more than 300 million people are affected and that it is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Depression is different from usual mood changes and   may become a serious health condition. It can cause the affected person to suffer greatly and function poorly at work, at school and in the family.

The experience of depression is often characterised by an ongoing feeling of low mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, feelings of fatigue or lethargy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating and thoughts of ending one's life.

People with depression often find that they struggle with day to day activities or interacting with others because of a lack of energy,  motivation and feeling low in mood.  This often leads to a general withdrawal which can include avoidance of social activities, hobbies and work. This avoidance can then make people feel isolated and alone.

People also often find that they become caught up in negative thinking, especially relating to the past.

treatment

There are effective treatments for mild, moderate and severe depression. . 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the treatment of choice for sufferers of depression. There is a great deal of evidence which supports the effectiveness of CBT for depression and it is recommended by the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

CBT for depression often lasts 8-20 sessions.The duration of therapy usually depends on the severity of symptoms and the complexity of the problem. It is very common for people to suffer from a combination of depression and anxiety symptoms. However, sometimes people are better able to identify feelings of depression.

CBT for depression is designed to help people to identify and change any patterns to their thinking or behaviour that are having negative effects on their mood. It should also equip people who have suffered from depression with techniques and strategies to prevent further episodes of depression and to address symptoms if they do reoccur.

If you are concerned that you might be suffering from depression, try this online questionnaire. It can give you an indication of whether depression or low mood has become a problem for you.