Depression

Step 1 - Medical Check Up and Advice

The symptoms described on the Depression Symptoms Page are reasonably common place even though they don't feel normal to you. The first step should be seeking help from your general medical practitioner. This is to ensure there are no organic reasons for the physical symptoms you are having. That is, there is no physical ailment connected to any underlying physical illness which may be causing these symptoms.

Tell your doctor fully about what is going on for you. Their best help can only come from the information you provide. Don't feel guilty about taking up their time: they are there to help you.

Once any physical illness has been discounted, you can move to the next stage, either with your GP or through a referral.

Step 2 - Educate yourself on the subject of Depression

There is a lot of information on the web, in libraries and at doctor's surgeries that can help you understand what depression is and help make sense of what you are feeling. Start with some of the government health sites.

This is a step that is easy to take, gives you some control back and can be done when it suites you.

Step 3 - Use and Develop Your Relationships

Numerous studies and our own experience at GuysDomain, support the idea that Rewarding Relationships form the foundation for recovery: emotional healing, happiness, and life satisfaction stem from strong and positive relationships with partners, family, co-workers and friends. It also diminishes isolation and loneliness - major factors in depression. Everyone suffers from problems in life... and it is always people who help us get through it.

Depression feels bad. We see our relationships in a bad light. But, critically, we also see ourselves in a bad light. The good news is there are a number of proven techniques to improve self esteem and self confidence and the journey of rediscovering your very best self can be fulfilling and joyous.

Step 4 - Work with a Trained, Experienced, Professional

One overriding factor in all successful counselling, regardless of method, is the relationship you have with your therapist. All the research about psychotherapy and counselling consistently bears out the fact that it is the person of the therapist that makes a difference. Find someone who is respectful, consistent, empathic and holds you with positive regard.

This is on top of behaving professionally, being trained, skillful and qualified. So ensure you 'shop around' as the fit you have with the person you decide to work with will be important.

Help with Depression:

Many sites describe depression but don't go further in terms of helping you. Very few places actually offer solutions to depression. GuysDomain is one such place.

• One2one: In my practice I work with individual clients using a combination of counselling ideas that help each person in a way that suite them best. Typically this would include CBT, Interpersonal Therapy, psychodynamic understandings and looking into a person's history to understand influences or events that contribute to a person's current situation.
  To contact GuysDomain go to the Contact Us page.



• Programs: I run a program called 'Headway' which provides a thorough understanding of depression; helps you understand contributing factors in your life; works with your thoughts, feelings and actions; reveals specific strategies to move forward; helps you develop reachable goals and sets weekly tasks; involves sharing, learning and support from each other; and provides weekly contact to help give focus, direction and build momentum. All this is done within a safe, confidential, non-judgmental environment.
  To find out more, see the Courses page.



• Specific Strategies: Dealing with depression involves positive action. Strategies for these actions are provided on the guysdomain site. They are free. What I ask in return is your email contact. (For guysdomain strategies, click here.)

For more information on depression see:

• Depression
• Depression Symptoms
• What Is Depression?

Call 03 9534 1222 today or fill out the form below and a professional counsellor will contact you shortly.

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