Depression is a specific state that a person with a mood disorder experiences. It can be a result of a mood disorder, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Bipolar Disorder. Depression can also occur due to environmental factors. Some individuals may experience depression for an extended period, while others go through small bouts of depression.
Emotional Symptoms of Depression Include:
Feeling sad, numb, hopeless
Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
Feeling restless or anxious
A lack of interest in activities
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide
Physical Symptoms of Depression include:
Fatigue, low energy
Changes in sleep
Changes in appetite
Changes in behaviour and coping skills (e.g. increased substance use)
Sometimes includes physical aches or pains
Does Psychotherapy Help Depression?
Psychotherapy is a longer-term approach to improving mental health through a variety of methods. Psychotherapy allows for you and your counsellor or therapist to go more deeply into issues that were significant in building your perception of your sense of self and others. To learn more about psychotherapy, and the differences between counselling and therapy.
Psychotherapy and its efficacy related to depression have been studied for decades. Results from conducted meta-analyses have highlighted that psychotherapy is effective for individuals who wish to improve their quality of life. Some individuals who are medicated for depression can also reduce or go off medication after having engaged in psychotherapy for depression.
What Are the Benefits?
Gain insight into your beliefs and way of approaching the world
Learn to implement healthy resources and coping mechanisms
Learn to put words to your experiences, which can help you connect with others
Offers a safe space to be open about stigma, fears, or other issues related to depression or medications
Stress reduction
Improve your understanding of your moods and mental states for increased awareness around health improvements or deterioration
What Works?
There are several approaches to treating depression. These approaches include, but are not limited to, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Non-directive Supportive Therapy, Behavioural Activation Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Problem-solving Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, and Social Skills Training. For more information on each of the treatments mentioned, and their efficacy click here.
If you choose to engage with a mental health professional, feel free to ask about their approach and its benefits. Find a therapist whose approach sounds like it aligns with what you’re looking for, or go with what sounds like it would be most beneficial to you. If you find someone who you trust with an aligned approach to improving your mental well-being, you are more likely to stick with your treatment.
Some clinics offer group counselling for individuals experiencing depression, which has also been shown to be an effective approach. Group counselling allows you to connect with people who can understand what you’ve been experiencing and help you to normalize your experience.
Over the past few years, research on mindfulness has been considered in aiding individuals with depression. One approach that has gained increased attention is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). MBCT combines cognitive behavioural therapy with mindfulness practices to establish a more holistic, mind-body, approach for relieving stress and increasing mental health. Research by scholars such as Marleen Ter Avest et al. (2019) has highlighted that it has had beneficial outcomes for individuals with depression. More research will be necessary, however, modalities like MBCT are gaining traction.
The Effects of COVID-19 on Canadians’ Mental Health
From April 24th-May 11th, the Canadian government launched a public online questionnaire regarding the mental well-being of Canadians due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The Statistics Canada website highlighted that approximately 46,000 individuals participated in the questionnaire. The complete picture can be found here on the Stats Can page. Here is a summary of the results during this period:
24% of Canadians reported poor to fair mental health (16% increase from 2018).
52% of participants reported that their mental health had worsened since the onset of physical distancing
88% of participants experienced at least one symptom related to anxiety
Higher anxiety was noted among individuals who were financially affected by COVID-19
Youth were more likely to report worsening mental health
This is included due to an increase in individuals wanting, or needing, to access counselling and psychotherapy since the onset of COVID-19. If you have noticed higher levels of anxiety or more depressive stretches, this is not uncommon and you do not have to struggle alone. It is a well-known fact that humans are social beings and this time has felt very isolating to many. If you need help, please reach out for help with the understanding that psychotherapy and counselling are effective means to improve your mental well-being. Sana counselling also offer specific methods of including EMDR, Somatic Therapy, and more.