What is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that affects an individual’s emotions and thoughts. It can result in long-term persistent unhappiness or lack of interest in life. Those who suffer from depressive disorders are often overwhelmed with feelings of guilt, sadness and hopelessness, which may affect their day-to-day lives.

A common misconception is that depression is a cause. In actuality, “depression” is a label used to describe a group of symptoms. Some common causes include abuse, family issues (divorce, parents fighting etc), having been bullied or ostracised, failure to meet expectations (that are often unrealistic), and other past traumas.

Additionally, grief can also lead to depression – in fact, it is the fourth stage of grief, after denial, anger and bargaining. This is characterised by the lowest point in the grief process as the reality of loss sinks in. Often likened to the start of an endless tunnel, it is recommended that one seeks the help of grief counselling or depression counselling in Singapore.

It is also worth noting that depression is not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Rather, it is a response to abnormal life experiences. The idea that it is an expression of anger that is internalised or directed on oneself has been a cornerstone of our understanding of depression since the Freudian era. Studies have found that individuals who are depressed often engage in self-criticism and blame to the point of self-hatred and disgust.

Symptoms of depression

Below is a list of common symptoms experienced by a person suffering from depression:

• Can’t seem to get out of helplessness
• Feel like being a burden to friends who can’t help
• Cannot perform well in work or studies
• Frequent loss of sleep and appetite
• At risk of failing in studies
• At risk of breaking up in relationships due to unstable emotions
• At risk of being fired at work
• Tired of self-criticism and self-condemnation
• Having constant suicidal thoughts

Causes of depression

The main causes of depression are often related to the challenges in life that you are likely to face. They could include the fear of not meeting targets and expectations of parents, spouse, or employers. Experiencing failures in life due to relationship breakups, poor academic results, loss of loved one, or job can also make you feel depressed.

Common types of depression

There are a few common types of depression that can affect an individual in various ways. No matter what type of depression you may be suffering from, counselling and therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat depression.

Major depressive disorder

Often referred to as clinical depression, this type of disorder is a common condition characterised by an all-consuming negative mood and a loss of interest in activities, even those that were usually enjoyable.

Those suffering from major depressive disorders typically experience symptoms almost daily. Some of these symptoms can include:

• Lack of energy
• Fatigue and issues with sleep (difficult sleeping or sleeping excessively)
• Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Changes in appetite and weight
• Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Persistent depressive disorder

This type of disorder is usually referred to as dysthymia or chronic depression. It typically lasts for at least two to three years, and it can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Individuals with persistent depressive disorder might experience brief periods of feeling a relief of symptoms. While these symptoms may not feel as intense as those who suffer from major depressive disorders, they are prevalent and long-lasting. They can still strain relationships and make daily tasks challenging for an individual. Some may also suffer from double depression, which is experiencing episodes of major depressive disorders before or whilst suffering from persistent depressive disorders.

Common symptoms of persistent depressive disorder are:

• Anger and irritability
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
• Social withdrawal
• Lack of energy

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression is a mood disorder characterised by moments of unusually heightened moods known as mania. Grandiose ideas, excessively high levels of euphoria, hyperactivity and a decreased need for sleep are all symptoms of mania. Mania episodes can be mild, known as hypomania, or so extreme that they can cause delusions and even hallucinations. Delusions are mistaken beliefs that typically does not make sense. An example of hallucinations are hearing voices or seeing things that are not present. To someone experiencing mania, all these can feel very realistic.

Mania is often accompanied by major depressive episodes. Individuals suffering from bipolar disorders may experience feelings of overwhelming sadness and hopelessness before or after the manic episode.

Situational depression

Unlike major depressive disorders and persistent depressive disorders, situational depression is a short-term type of depression. Also known as reactive depression, it often develops when an individual experiences a traumatic or stressful event which makes it difficult for them to adjust their daily lives following the event.

Situational depression can be triggered by traumatic events such as:

• The loss of a loved one
• Going through a divorce
• Facing unemployment or financial difficulties
• Being in abusive (physical or emotional) relationships
• Bullying in schools

It is natural to feel negative emotions during such occurrences. Situation depression, on the other hand, occurs when these feelings begin to feel out of proportion and affects your day-to-day life. Symptoms typically tend to start within 2 to 3 months of the event, and these symptoms can include:

• Frequent crying
• Anxiety
• Social withdrawal
• Changes in appetite
• Fatigue and issues with sleep (difficult sleeping or sleeping excessively)
• Difficulty concentrating

Depression Counselling and Therapy

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and would like to seek professional help for your condition, you can booking a consultation with us at Emotional Wellness Counselling Singapore. For urgent assistance, please WhatsApp our counsellor and therapist, Ms Carol Goh, at +65 9832 4947 for an appointment in Singapore.

At Emotional Wellness, our certified psychotherapist has over 18 years of experience under her belt, and can help you overcome your condition, no matter what type of depression you are struggling with. We offer counselling services in Singapore to help individuals in their battle against depression. Finding out the root cause of your depression through consultation is an essential first step in treatment. Getting help from a professional psychotherapist in Singapore allows you to voice out your struggles and concerns in a safe and comfortable environment.

Through specialised psychotherapy techniques, you would be able to discover, address and resolve past hurts that you might not have been aware of.

As part of your treatment for depression, we will utilise a range of counselling and psychotherapy techniques, depending on your specific issues. Some of these techniques used include:

• Gestalt
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Schema therapy
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, video, and other material in this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.