buchanan

DEPRESSION
by, Jo Buchanan, Clinical hypnotherapist

Clinical depression is not just one condition, but a group of conditions ranging from understandable reactions to stress to a serious depressive illness. When faced with stress such as loss of a loved one, relationship breakdown, job loss or great disappointment, most people will feel unhappy or sad. These are emotional reactions, which are appropriate to the situation, and will last only a short time. It is not regarded as depression in a psychiatric sense, but a part of everyday experience. Because depression is so common, it is important to understand the difference between unhappiness and a depressive illness.

REACTIVE DEPRESSION manifests in the form of reacting to life’s crises, but more intense than the unhappiness experienced in daily living. It lasts longer and the symptoms often include anxiety, poor sleep and loss of appetite. It usually goes away when the cause is removed or when the person finds a new way to cope with stress. Psychologists, psychotherapists, PSH therapists and hypnotherapists are recommended in the treatment of reactive depression.

POST NATAL DEPRESSION is the so called "baby blues" which affects about half of all new mothers. This type of depression may last only hours or for a few weeks, then disappears. A severe but rare form of post natal depression is called Puerpal Psychosis, when the woman is unable to cope with her everyday life, and manic or depressive symptoms predominate

A mother experiencing a manic reaction will talk excitedly and her ideas may be difficult to follow. She feels euphoric and may become overactive and show aggression if "crossed". A depressive reaction makes a mother feel inadequate, incompetent and unable to care for her baby, herself or anyone else. She may even reject her baby and feel particularly guilty about her lack of maternal feeling.

ENDOGENOUS or MAJOR DEPRESSION is the most severe form of depression. It can come on without apparent cause, although in some cases, a distressing event might trigger the condition. The cause is still not well understood but is believed to be associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Endogenous depression can develop in people who have hitherto coped well in life, are good at their work and happy in family and social relationships. Sometimes their hopelessness and despair can lead to suicide attempts or self harm. In the most serious form of this type of depression, psychotic depression, the person loses touch with reality and may hear voices saying they are wicked or worthless and deserve to be punished. Others develop false beliefs (delusions) that they have committed bad deeds in the past and deserve to be punished. This is a serious and painful illness with real risks to the sufferer’s life and wellbeing. Hospitalisation is often required and relief achieved through the administration of anti depressants or in more extreme cases, ECT, or shock treatment. ECT is a safe and highly effective form of treatment quite unlike that of the past. It is administered under general anaesthetic and lasts only minutes. Hypnotherapy and PSH therapy are NOT RECOMMENDED as an aid in endogenous depression, as they can exacerbate the symptoms.

BIPOLAR DISORDER (MANIC DEPRESSION) alternates endogenous depression with periods of mania involving extreme happiness, overactivity, rapid speech, a total lack of inhibition and in more serious cases, delusions of grandeur.

THE CAUSES OF DEPRESSION are believed to be 1.) hereditary (similar to a predisposition in families to illnesses such as heart disease and high blood pressure), 2.) biochemical imbalance (which can usually be corrected with anti depressants), 3.) extreme stress and 4.) personality type. (for example, perfectionists who set very high standards for themselves and others).

Unfortunately, stigma is sometimes attached to taking anti depressants, caused by over enthusiastic New Agers who insist one must "be in control of one’s life at all times’ and "do everything naturally", implying that to resort to anti depressants is a form of failure or a lack in character, which is the last thing a depressed person wishes to hear. There is nothing wrong with taking anti depressants. They are excellent as a kick start on the road to recovery, which can be further bolstered with diet, herbs, vitamins, massage and counselling. Then, once mental, emotional and physical balance is restored, the patient can be weaned off them altogether.

It is important to bring mental illness into the open, so that society may overcome attitudes based on misconceptions. The nightmarish existence a sufferer endures is horrific enough, without the added judgements, ignorance and fear of a community that simply lacks education.