Depression

What is Depression?

 Depression can be a reaction to a particular situation or is linked to imbalances in the brain with regard to the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It is also important to consider that the body systems are interrelated and therefore a dysfunction within a system can affect also the Central Nervous System, for example some people who suffer from Diabetes can experience Depression. People who suffer from Depression have the perception that their families and friends cannot understand  – that they do not have the energy to carry on daily tasks and more they are encouraged to be active or see the “positive side of life” and more they feel misunderstood and deeply lonely. Often they have a dark perception of reality and feel incapsulated in a world that does not have a meaning any longer.

People suffering from Depression experience symptoms such as: sleep and appetite disturbances – change in their pace of how they speak or move – feeling tired or lack of energy – feeling down – low in mood or hopeless – lack of concentration -little interest and pleasure in doing things – feeling bad about themselves -feeling that they are a failure or have let themselves or their family down. They might have thoughts that they would be better off dead or hurting themselves than living a meaningless life full of suffering without seeing a glimpse of light.

Depression can be classified as – chronic – if clients have been suffering from Depression for many years or – recurrent – if they have had many episodes in their life. Depression is also classified as – reactive – if a particular event or several life events had a severe impact on the clients’ life and,  Depression in this case is a maladaptive reaction to those events.

According to IPT, Depression can be linked to their social condition and perceived lack of social support or according to the Brief Strategic Therapy approach developed by Giorgio Nardone  who founded with Paul Watzlawick the Centre of Brief Strategic Therapy of Arezzo,- Depression is linked to the clients’ rigid belief about themselves or the outer world – which suddenly is triggered by particular “life events”. The latter approach aims to support the client to change the perception of their reality through the introduction of specific strategies and paradoxical interventions, conversely IPT aims to improve the client’s social support linked to their recovery. Brief Strategic Therapy combines the rigour of a specific protocol of treatment with the use of metaphors and ad hoc strategies and as a result it is proved to be effective.