DEPRESSION THERAPY IN VALENCIA

WHAT IS DEPRESSION? PSYCHOLOGIST FOR DEPRESSION IN VALENCIA 🇬🇧

Depression is far more than simply feeling sad for a few days. It is a persistent state of apathy, emptiness, fatigue, or hopelessness. No two people experience depression in exactly the same way. It can be difficult to cope with, but there are highly effective treatment options available. You do not have to go through depression alone.

Based on the patient’s symptoms, the psychologist carries out an assessment and diagnosis, identifying when the symptoms began and how they affect daily life. Treatment depends on the severity of the depression, although psychotherapy is usually the most recommended approach. Antidepressant medication may also help some patients manage daily life. In mild to moderate cases, physical exercise can be very beneficial. In more severe cases, hospital admission may sometimes be necessary.

There is a tendency to use the term “depression” as a synonym for sadness, particularly normal sadness — the natural emotion we all experience at different moments in life, just like joy, anger, or fear. However, this type of sadness is not the same as depression.

In depression, the person experiences a different kind of sadness from the one felt after losing a loved one or ending a relationship. This is often referred to as “pathological” sadness.

Other common symptoms include losing enthusiasm for things that once brought excitement, losing interest in activities that were previously enjoyable, and losing the ability to experience pleasure in everyday life.

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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION?

According to the DSM-5, one of the most widely used diagnostic manuals for psychological disorders, depression is characterised by five or more of the following symptoms.

These symptoms must have been present for at least two weeks.

At least one of the symptoms must be either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure.

• Depressed mood for most of the day, including intense sadness or feelings of hopelessness about the future.
• Significant loss of interest or pleasure in most activities for most of the day. Lack of motivation, apathy, and emotional numbness.
• Weight loss or gain without dieting, or changes in appetite.
• Insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping excessively).
• Psychomotor agitation or slowing down — moving too much or too little.
• Fatigue or loss of energy.
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt.
• Reduced ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions.
• Recurrent thoughts about death (not just fear of dying), suicidal thoughts, or suicide attempts.

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HOW CAN DEPRESSION BE OVERCOME?

The first step usually focuses on self-care, encouraging healthy sleep habits, physical exercise, and proper nutrition.

When someone is depressed, they often begin to withdraw from the small things that once brought them happiness, or lose the ability to enjoy them. Everyday activities such as going out for dinner or having a drink with friends may gradually disappear from their routine. For this reason, it is important to start becoming active again, taking on small challenges that bring motivation and enjoyment back into life.

Other important areas are also addressed, such as social and family relationships, as well as work-related activities, with the aim of making them feel more meaningful and rewarding. We will identify the areas most closely linked to the problem and explore different therapeutic techniques to help you reconnect with motivation, hope, and future goals.

There are different forms of therapy for depression, and in general, they are effective. Everyone experiencing depression should receive treatment aimed at reducing symptoms, improving self-esteem, encouraging healthier coping strategies, and ensuring continuity throughout the therapeutic process.

It is important to seek help early, as severe depression may involve a risk of suicide.

Following the cognitive behavioural model, treatment aims to help patients modify the way they think about and interpret life situations, themselves, and the future.

Some of the evidence-based techniques used in therapy include:

• Relaxation techniques: conscious breathing and muscle relaxation.
• Behavioural activation: developing and maintaining regular exercise habits.
• Pleasant activities programme: reintroducing activities that once brought enjoyment.
• Cognitive therapy: identifying and changing automatic negative thoughts and cognitive distortions, while encouraging more positive and realistic thinking.
• Improving sleep quality and treating insomnia.
• Problem-solving techniques: defining the problem, exploring options, evaluating solutions, applying them, and reviewing results.
• Social skills training and assertiveness.
• Self-esteem improvement.
• Better management of stress and anxiety.
• Reorganisation of daily activities, routines, and schedules.
• Couples or family therapy when necessary, as depression often affects personal relationships.

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WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?

Depression can have many different causes, ranging from biological factors to environmental influences such as life events, relationships, or stressful situations.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Family history: having relatives with depression or other mood disorders increases the risk.
• Childhood trauma: certain experiences can affect how the body responds to fear and stress later in life.
• Brain structure: lower activity in the frontal lobe has been associated with a higher risk of depression, although it is unclear whether this occurs before or after symptoms begin.
• Medical conditions: chronic illnesses, insomnia, chronic pain, or ADHD may increase vulnerability.
• Substance use: around 20% of people with substance abuse problems also experience depression.

Other risk factors include:

• Low self-esteem.
• Excessive self-criticism.
• Personal history of mental health difficulties.
• Certain medications.
• Stressful life events such as bereavement, financial problems, unemployment, or divorce.

However, in many cases, psychologists and psychiatrists cannot identify a single clear cause of depression.

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WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO DEPRESSION?

There are many recognised risk factors for depression, including personal, cognitive, social, family, and genetic factors. Their impact varies depending on the individual, their circumstances, and the stage of life in which they occur.

The most significant factors include:

• Personal or family history of depression.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Financial difficulties.
• Adverse life events such as loneliness, divorce, or job loss.
• Substance abuse, including alcohol, drugs, or medication misuse.
• History of sexual abuse.
• Chronic illnesses involving pain or disability.
• Recent childbirth.

Genetics are considered one of the most important factors influencing the likelihood of developing depression.

Hormonal factors may also contribute to certain types of depression, and exposure to natural light has been linked to mood changes.

Sometimes, depression begins after what are known as “triggers” — life events that activate the biological process underlying depression. Interestingly, these triggers are not always highly traumatic events and can sometimes include relatively ordinary situations such as moving house, renovations, or surgery. Even after the triggering event has passed, depressive symptoms may continue unless appropriate treatment is received.