What is depression?
Sadness is a normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments and we all go through highs and lows in our mood. Clinical depression is however much more than just sadness and can be described by some people as “living in a black hole”, or having a sense of impending doom, or that they feel lifeless, empty and apathetic..

Clinical depression is different from sadness in that it negatively affects your day to day life, interferes with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep and enjoy yourself.  In addition feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting.
Signs and symptoms of clinical depression
Depression affects individuals in different ways but the common signs and symptoms are:

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
• Loss of interest in daily activities such as hobbies or sex.
• Appetite or weight changes resulting in significant weight loss or weight gain.
• Sleep changes such as insomnia, waking very early in the morning or oversleeping.
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation resulting in your feeling anxious and or restless or sluggish.
• Loss of energy in that you feel exhausted and physically drained.
• Self-loathing arising from strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt accompanied harsh self- criticism.
• Negativity from an inability to control your negative thoughts
• Irritability and a short tempered.
• Self-isolating and resistant to socializing with others
• Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
• Suicidal or homicidal thoughts which are signals to seek help immediately.

Causes of Depression
Depression is complicated and is not just the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain that is simply cured with medication. Depression is caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors, which include lifestyle choices, relationships, coping skills, and genetics.
Clinical depression often co-exists with disorders such as ADHD due to an imbalance of the neurotransmitters, which is also the cause of ADHD.  Clinical depression can also be caused by the ongoing struggle, frustration and failure a person suffering from untreated ADHD may endure. Other risk factors that can make you more vulnerable to depression include:

• Loneliness
• Lack of social support
• Recent stressful life experiences
• Family history of depression

• Marital or relationship problems
• Financial strain
• Early childhood trauma or abuse
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Unemployment or underemployment
• Health problems or chronic pain

Treatment for Depression
Understanding the underlying cause of your depression may help you overcome the problem. For some depression can be remedied by just changing the situation. Finding a more satisfying career when a dead end job is causing you to feel depressed and could be the solution rather than taking an antidepressant. Likewise when feeling lonely and sad in a new area, finding new friends at work or through a hobby may be more effective than going to therapy.

In most cases, the best approach involves a combination of self-help strategies, lifestyle changes, and professional help. Medication can help relieve the symptoms of depression in some people, but they don’t work for everyone and they come with drawbacks of their own. Effective treatment for depression often includes some form of therapy. Therapy gives you tools to treat depression from a variety of angles. Some types of therapy such as Cognitive Therapy teach you practical techniques on how to reframe negative thinking and employ behavioral skills in combating depression. Therapy can also help you work through the root of your depression, helping you understand why you feel a certain way, what your triggers are for depression, and what you can do to stay healthy.

Client self-management has successfully been used to teach clients how to manage their depression thereby preventing recurring bouts of acute clinical depression. In a self-management approach clients learn what depression is, what their specific symptoms are and the most effective treatment for their symptoms. Cognitive therapy is used to help them they identify their personal triggers, risks and early symptoms, and to learn skills and strategies to prevent and manage their depression. In addition to cognitive therapy the patient’s self-management plan may include maintenance doses on anti-depressants and focus on the following:

• Cultivating supportive relationships
• Getting regular exercise and sleep
• Eating a healthy, mood-boosting diet
• Managing stress
• Practicing relaxation techniques
• Challenging negative thought patterns
• Asking for help early

Read more about client self-management.