Depression: Therapy for Depression in Newcastle

Everyone can feel down at times, and this often occurs in reaction to some bad news like the loss of a job or the death of someone. Usually, these feelings pass naturally, however, if these feelings do not go away, or start to interfere with your life, then you may be suffering from depression.

Depression differs from general low mood by the severity of symptoms. Someone with low mood may find it comes and goes, However, someone who has depression will find that their low mood is persistent.

What is Depression?

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions in the UK affecting around 1 in 6 people. It can affect people in different ways, but depression is often a constant low mood and a loss of pleasure in usually enjoyed activities.

As depression can cause a lack of energy, problems with sleep, and a lack of concentration, it can impact wider areas including your physical health, as well as work, study, and socialising.

Depression frequently occurs with other mental health conditions like anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety and low self-esteem. Research has found that females are twice as likely to suffer with depression than males.

Types of Depression

There are many different types of depression. You’ll find an overview of some of the most common below:

Clinical depression

Clinical depression is the term used when a doctor has diagnosed someone with depression. It is denoted by persistent low mood which interferes with daily functioning.

Postnatal depression

Sometimes called postpartum depression, postnatal depression occurs after becoming a parent. Symptoms usually develop after giving birth and include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. It can affect both males and females and affects around 1 in every 10 people.

Seasonal depression

Seasonal depression, better known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is depression that is triggered by the weather. It is most common in the winter due to the short days and lack of sunshine. However, some people are affected by SAD in the summer months.

Causes of Depression

Research has found that depression may be due to reduced activity between neurotransmitter systems in the brain. This leads to less communication between nerves in the areas of the brain which regulate sleep, libido, appetite, and mood.

There is some evidence to suggest that medication can address this chemical imbalance but it is unclear whether the imbalance is the cause of depression, or a result of it.

Thinking patterns

Negative thinking patterns are related to depression. An excessively negatively and rigid thinking pattern impacts the way a person feels, and then what they do, which can lead to a vicious cycle.

Genetic factors

Depression has been found to run in families which would suggest a genetic component to it, however further research is required to confirm this. This is because growing up in a household where a family member experiences depression may create a vulnerability to it, as the person learns certain ways of behaving and thinking. This may make them more prone to depression.

Life events

Depression can be a reaction to a life event such as the loss of a job, death of a loved one, attack or assault, end of a relationship, or physical illness. Experiencing such events does not mean you will become depressed, but it can make you more vulnerable to it.

Signs & Symptoms of Depression

Not everyone will have the same set of symptoms when experiencing depression. Common symptoms are listed below. If you have experienced some of these symptoms every day for at least two weeks, then you may have depression:

Psychological symptoms of depression

Low mood
Feeling tearful
Hopelessness
Feeling guilty
Feeling irritable
Low self-esteem
Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
Feeling like a burden

Social/behavioural signs of depression

Loss of enjoyment in everyday activities
Loss of interest generally
Wanting to isolate
Lack of motivation
Lack of concentration

How to Deal with Depression Yourself

If you’re struggling with depression, there are lots of things you can do to help yourself feel better. Here are some tips:

Take care of your physical health: Depression can cause you to neglect your physical health, but taking care of your body can help improve your mood. Make sure you’re eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, getting regular exercise, and enough sleep.
Set small goals: It can feel overwhelming to think about all the things you need to do. Set small, achievable goals for yourself each day, like getting out of bed, taking a shower, or going for a short walk.
Connect with others: Try to connect with others rather than isolating yourself, even if it’s just a phone call or text message.
Challenge negative thoughts: Try to identify and challenge negative thoughts when they come up. Ask yourself if there’s evidence to support the thought and try to reframe it in a more positive way.
Do things you enjoy: Try to do something you enjoy each day, even if you don’t feel like it. This could be anything from going for a walk to reading a few pages of a book.

Self-help is a great starting point however if symptoms persist, professional help should be sought as you may need further intensive support.

Therapy for Depression

The aim of therapy is to provide you with the tools you need to be able to manage your mental health independently:

Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

EMDR can be used to help treat a range of conditions including depression. When depression is the result of events from the past, EMDR can help to process these memories using bilateral stimulation (left and right eye movements, taps or sounds) which helps to reframe negative beliefs.

EMDR Therapy

Compassion focused therapy (CFT)

Compassion Focused Therapy can help bring a compassionate stance to depression. When someone is depressed, they can have negative thoughts about themselves, including feelings of guilt and shame. CFT teaches the person to respond compassionately towards themselves rather than critically.

Compassion Focused Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps by supporting you to come to terms with the things that cannot be changed whilst staying true to your values. It helps teach skills in mindfulness so you can stay present through your depression rather than dwelling on past or future events. This can lead to a more fulfilled life.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an evidence-based therapy. It works by considering how thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all linked. People who are depressed often start to do less, which leads to negative thinking, creating a vicious cycle. CBT for aims to break this cycle, for positive thinking and improved mood.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Why Choose Turning Tides?

At Turning Tides, our team of Psychologists are highly trained and have many years of experience working with common mental health conditions such as depression.

Our psychologists can help you to understand your depression, exploring some of the different factors that have brought you to where you are today. Based on these individual factors, they will teach you strategies to effectively manage your mood and allow you to move forward in your life.

We offer regular face to face appointments at our modern and comfortable clinic in Hoult’s Yard, Newcastle or we can offer online therapy via Zoom, if you live further afield or have a preference for online sessions.

Our Fees

We have tried to keep our pricing as simple as possible. We charge £120 for a 60-minute appointment, regardless of whether this is an assessment or therapy session. Our fees are the same for face-to-face appointments and online appointments as you will receive the same high standard of care from our psychologists, regardless of how it is delivered.

Get in touch today

A psychologist will then be in touch to arrange a free 15-minute no-obligation call, where we can discuss your requirements in more detail and you can get a feel for whether Turning Tides is the right psychology practice for you.

If we’re not right for you, we’ll try and signpost you to somewhere that is.

Please note – Turning Tides is not a crisis service, and if you feel you need urgent support or are experiencing a mental health crisis then it is important that you contact your GP if they are available, or attend A&E.

Thank you so much for everything. I have changed so much since the start of therapy. I no longer react to things instantly, and instead I am able to take a step back from situations and take time to reflect before responding. My initial emotional response no longer takes over or controls my behaviour.

Female 29

I feel so much better, I'm not as anxious and don't get worried about things so easily. My anxiety is no longer stopping me from doing things. It feels like I have control of my life back. My mood feels lighter generally, and I no longer feel trapped. Thank you!

Female 25

Thank you for helping me in the way you did during our time working together. It has enabled me to really 'zone in' and focus on the controllables in my life and not those things outside of my control.

Male 32