Overview of Depression
Depression is more than feeling sad or having a bad week. Most of us experience periods of low mood, especially after stress, loss, disappointment or major life changes. But depression tends to last longer and can begin to affect how you think, feel, behave and relate to the world around you.
It can make everyday life feel heavy. Getting out of bed, replying to messages, going to work or school, eating properly, seeing friends, or doing the things you used to enjoy may start to feel difficult or impossible. Some people feel tearful or hopeless; others feel numb, irritable, detached, exhausted, or as though they are simply going through the motions.
Depression is common. The World Health Organization estimates that around 280 million people worldwide live with depression, and the NHS describes it as a real health condition rather than a weakness or something you can simply “snap out of”. (World Health Organization)
What depression can feel like
Depression can look different from person to person. You might notice:
a persistent low mood or sadness
loss of interest or pleasure in things
tiredness, low motivation or changes in sleep
feeling worthless, guilty, ashamed or self-critical
withdrawing from friends, family or activities
difficulty concentrating or making decisions
changes in appetite
feeling anxious, restless or irritable
thoughts that life feels pointless or that others would be better off without you
For some people, depression comes in waves. For others, it feels like something that has been there for so long they can barely remember life feeling any different. It may be linked to a current situation, such as relationship problems, work stress, bereavement, loneliness or burnout. It may also be rooted in earlier experiences, family patterns, trauma, neurodivergence, long-term self-criticism, or years of feeling unseen or unsupported.
Why therapy can help
Depression can narrow your world. It often encourages withdrawal, avoidance and harsh self-judgement — but these very patterns can keep the depression going. Therapy offers a space to gently understand what is happening, without blame or pressure.
In our work together, we may look at the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are maintaining low mood. This can include noticing critical inner dialogue, exploring patterns of avoidance, rebuilding routines, and finding small, manageable ways to reconnect with life. CBT can be helpful here because it looks at the relationship between thoughts, behaviour and mood. NHS guidance describes CBT as a talking therapy that helps people change patterns in how they think and act, and it is commonly used for depression. (nhs.uk)
But depression is not always just about thoughts. Sometimes it also needs to be understood in the context of your history, relationships, losses, identity and sense of self. A psychodynamic approach can help explore where certain beliefs or emotional patterns may have come from, while a person-centred approach offers a compassionate space where you can speak freely and feel accepted rather than judged.
As an integrative therapist, I draw on different approaches depending on what feels most useful for you. Some people need practical strategies and structure. Others need time to understand their past, their relationships, or the parts of themselves they have learned to hide. Many need a mixture of both.
You do not have to manage it alone
When you are depressed, it can be hard to imagine things changing. Even reaching out can feel like a lot. But therapy does not require you to arrive with everything figured out. We can begin wherever you are.
Together, we can explore what depression means for you, what may be keeping it in place, and what might help you begin to feel more connected, more hopeful and more like yourself again.
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or feel at risk of harming yourself, please seek urgent support. In the UK, you can contact Samaritans on 116 123, call NHS 111, contact your GP urgently, or call 999/go to A&E if you are in immediate danger.