In the heart of Collingwood, Ian Raeburn-Gibson, Registered Psychotherapist, dedicates his practice to helping individuals confront and overcome depression. This condition, often misunderstood, can be effectively managed with the right therapeutic approach. This guide delves into the nuances of depression therapy, providing insights and strategies for those struggling with this condition.
Introduction:
There are two things that instantly let me know it’s Christmas time. Clementines and Poinsettias. Weird, I know. But, something about that citrus-y smell, or the blood-red leaves of the poinsettias brings me back to the nostalgic feeling of Christmas as a kid. As I write this, both are beside me on my desk.
Christmas time can be a fun and joyful time, but for many it is a struggle. The season can bring back painful memories, the hustle and bustle of our Christmas shopping can cause us stress, or maybe we’re grieving someone that is no longer with us. It’s not surprising that depression can increase around the holiday season, and when you add in the lack of sunlight in Canadian winters, it can be a bad mix. When we talk about depression though, especially around Christmas, it’s important to distinguish clinical depression with seasonal and/or situational depression.
Understanding Depression:
Clients often think they feel depressed, but they aren’t sure. That’s a hard question to answer, and it shows that depression can be misunderstood. So, here’s the best way I can describe it. Clinical Depression, or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is a psychological condition in the DSM-5 (a classification system for mental health disorders). To have clinical depression, you must meet specific diagnosis criteria, which are complex. I will sum it up in a simple way: usually, people with clinical depression are sad and hopeless about their lives even when things in their life are seemingly going well. This is the major difference between people who might feel depressed vs. those who are clinically depressed. In those with clinical depression, there is often a negative view of self, others, and the future. So, your life might be going great; maybe you have a loving family, a good stable job, hobbies, and friends, but you still feel hopeless and desperate. Conversely, many people go through periods of depression in their life but it is often tied to a specific thing… loss of a job, relationship struggles, not having a purpose in life, etc. If you find yourself feeling more depressed at Christmas, ask yourself: is this based on a specific situation or event? Do I always feel like this, or just right now? If I did something different, would it help? These types of questions can help you work through what type of depression you might have. At the end of the day though, depression is a terrible thing and whether it’s clinical or situational, you need to work through it and get the help you need.
Approaches to Treating Depression
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a well-researched modality targeting negative thoughts and negative core beliefs. Because someone with clinical depression has a negative view of self, others, and the world, it makes sense that targeting those thoughts and beliefs would be beneficial. CBT looks to alter your thoughts and input more adaptive, kinder thoughts which supports healing, growth, and self-esteem. Often, CBT is a first-line defense against depression.
Somatic and Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Certain therapeutic modalities focus on mindfulness techniques, getting in touch with your body, and body regulation. All of these skills can help calm your body down, provide ‘feel-good’ chemicals like serotonin, and help to input better, more positive thoughts in your mind. Research shows that there are physiological connections happening all the time between our mind and body. These therapeutic skills, which can be taught in therapy, will help balance your body and mind and give you a greater sense of inner peace.
Lifestyle and Holistic Integration
Depression isn’t just a mental health condition, but can also persist when we neglect other important areas of our life. Some of these may include physical fitness, nutrition, social community, spiritual practices and more. Therapy can help you work on these areas of your life, so that you position your body, mind, and soul in the best possible place. Therapy is often holistic in this sense; not just looking at your mind and thoughts, but all the elements at play in your life.
Psychoanalytic Therapy
Psychoanalytic therapy works to understand how your past informs your present. Oftentimes, someone going through depression may have negative experiences from their childhood in the form of insecure attachment, specific trauma(s), or memories which continue to haunt them. These memories live in our body and our subconscious, and can wreak havoc on our mind if we don’t address them. Psychoanalytic work lives primarily in the past and in the subconscious, in order to free you in the present day.
Medication
Sometimes medication is needed to treat depression. While therapists don’t prescribe medication or give medical advice, sometimes looping in your doctor is needed. Medication can be a useful, and quick solution to help someone with depression. I encourage anyone who is struggling or reading this blog to talk to their doctor about their symptoms. It can really help.
Conclusion
These are some top interventions for treating depression, but of course there are many more. Understanding the difference between clinical depression and situational depression is important, and it will help you and your therapist determine which modality is best. Depression, while challenging, can be managed and overcome with the right support and treatment. I hope this Christmas you find peace and joy in your life. All the best in 2024.
Ian Raeburn-Gibson, IRG Registered Psychotherapist in Collingwood, is committed to guiding individuals through their journey of recovery. With professional support, overcoming depression and rediscovering joy and fulfillment in life is an attainable goal. Seeking help is a courageous step towards healing and well-being, and you’re not alone on this journey. When you’re ready, reach out.
