Depression is an illness characterized by extreme sadness. What once brought joy now seems flat and colourless. Changes in sleep and appetite, problems concentrating, distorted thinking, inappropriate guilt and thoughts of suicide are other common symptoms of depression. It can become intense enough to interfere with your ability to work, maintain relationships, and take care of yourself. Depression is insidious. Once the symptoms begin it can feel like being stuck in a bog. Simple actions that could help boost your mood become impossible to initiate as energy and motivation wane, and distorted thought processes leave you believing that feeling better is impossible.
We do not know for certain what causes depression, but we do know some risk factors including chronic stress, history of trauma, genetics, and personality traits. Without treatment, there is a risk of depression becoming chronic or recurrent. Fortunately, we have powerful treatments for depression. A combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy has repeatedly been shown to be effective treatment for most people with depression. Psychotherapies typically target the symptoms and work to reduce the risk of relapse.
At Campanula Psychological Services, we address depression with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), one of the most effective psychological treatments for depression. CBT works to understand the relationship between our thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and strengthen the actions and beliefs that contribute to positive feelings. We also integrate mindfulness techniques into our treatment for depression to help enhance self-awareness and combat self-critical thinking. Whether you prefer to work with traditional CBT techniques or incorporate mindfulness into your recovery, we will work with you to find your path to better mental health.
We offer 30 minute confidential consultations free of charge. You can book a consultation below or initiate a conversation through email with the contact button. Reach out to begin developing a collaborative and personalized plan for reaching your goals.