Chronic Depression Treatment in Melbourne - Overcome & Reclaim Your Joy

Bayside Psychotherapy>Chronic Depression Treatment in Melbourne – Overcome & Reclaim Your Joy

Chronic Depression Counselling & Therapy Melbourne - Bayside Psychotherapy

Seeking Effective Treatment To Relieve Chronic Depression

Seeking treatment for chronic depression is a big step to take, Bayside Psychotherapy has many mental health professionals that can help you to overcome this medical condition.

Do you have any questions for us? Get in touch with us through our online contact form.

Call Bayside Psychotherapy on (03) 9557 9113 to find out if we’re able to help you. Your call is completely confidential, and there’s absolutely no obligation.

You can also book an appointment by using our online booking form for online appointments. Or, if you prefer, you can book an in-clinic session.

Chronic Depression Dangers Untreated - Bayside Psychotherapy

What Are The Symptoms Of Depression?

While depression can be a short-lived experience, others describe a long history of protracted (many years) low mood to the point that their experience of depression can begin to feel like part of their identity. Individuals with chronic depression often report the following symptoms:

Depressed mood
Low self-esteem
Decreased energy
Changes in appetite and sleep
Feelings of hopelessness
Difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly

The underlying cause of chronic depression is complex and unique to each individual but is more frequently noted where individuals have grown up in trying and adverse circumstances. This may include (but is not limited to) individuals who experienced neglect or abuse, growing up in a chaotic and/or conflictual family environment, parental substance use and/or mental health difficulties, parental loss or divorce, and feeling unseen and misunderstood.

Do You Suffer From Chronic Depression Bayside Hypnotherapy

Do I Suffer From Chronic Depression?

Identifying a symptom such as depression as chronic, in itself, can produce potential limiting consequences. Appropriate assessment is necessary. There are too many online tests and self-diagnostics going around the web that may not always benefit someone seeking help. Society demands we “be ourselves”, and feeling chronically depressed may be perceived by some individuals as a failure to live up to this imaginary ideal (“be yourself”). Working through such self-criticisms and identity descriptions can be a necessary element of psychotherapy for chronic depression.

It’s not uncommon for someone to experience symptoms of sadness. However, when the feeling refuses to subside, chronic depression is often the culprit. The characteristics of chronic depression involve periods of sadness lasting for more than two weeks and, for some individuals, as long as two years. In addition, individuals suffering from chronic depression experience more frequent and severe symptoms than those with situational depression.

Is Chronic Depression Dangerous?

Untreated chronic depression may become a severe problem. If left untreated, Chronic Depression may increase the chances of risky behaviour such as excessive drug or alcohol consumption. It may also ruin friendships and relationships, cause issues at work, and make it hard to overcome serious illnesses.

People who are depressed cannot simply “cheer up”. Without adequate treatment, untreated depression may last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, is beneficial to most people with depression.

Common Symptoms Of Chronic Depression

The classic symptoms of chronic depression include the following:

Lack of energy or chronic fatigue
Daily feelings of hopelessness, sadness or guilt
Dramatic weight loss or gain
Loss of interest in relationships, hobbies or passions
Frequent thoughts of suicide or death
Headaches/migraines
Low back and body aches
Digestive issues, such as constipation, diarrhoea or nausea

Is Chronic Depression Controlling Your Life?

Psychologist Melbourne - Bayside Psychotherapy

Are You Seeking Treatment For Depression?

Longer term psychotherapy aims to address the underlying inner conflicts associated with chronic depression and explore treatment options. Read on and book an initial treatment in clinic or try an online session to find out if psychotherapy is appropriate to your circumstances.

Depression has been referred to as the “common” cold of mental health issues owing to its increasing frequency. Despite the prevalence, depression is an experience that must always be taken seriously and without treatment can have an enormous impact on one’s sense of themselves, the world, relationships and the ability to function. Diagnosis of depression can be tricky as everyone experiences it differently, but there are many overlapping depression symptoms that make it possible to find the right diagnosis and treatment suitable for you.

Preventing Depression

Preventing depression involves a combination of lifestyle choices, coping strategies, and awareness. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and avoiding alcohol, drugs, and excessive stress can reduce the risk. Building strong social connections, practising mindfulness or meditation, and seeking therapy or counselling when facing life challenges can be immensely rewarding. Early intervention, recognising triggers, and staying informed about one’s mental health are essential in preventing the onset or recurrence of depression.

Types Of Depression

Depression presents in various forms of mood disorders that affect everyone in different ways. Major Depression can be characterised as a persistent sadness and disinterest. Persistent Depressive Disorder, or dysthymia, is a milder but long-lasting form. Bipolar Disorder features manic episodes of extreme mood swings, from an extreme high to a deep low. Seasonal Affective Disorder tends to affect people at a certain time of the year, mostly winter. Postpartum Depression occurs after childbirth and is deeply troubling for the mother and has serious consequences on a newborn.

Each type of depression has unique symptoms and requires tailored treatment approaches, some require different types of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) while others require drug treatment to ease depression symptoms.

Chronic Depression Treatment With Bayside Psychotherapy?

It’s possible to work through chronic depression so that you may experience relief from symptoms, have an enhanced self-understanding, improved functioning and better quality of life. When mood difficulties have been present for many years, it may take a long-term commitment to psychotherapy for symptoms to be worked through in an effective and sustainable way.

Research findings have indicated that psychoanalytic/psychodynamic psychotherapy is an excellent approach to resolving chronic mood difficulties as the origin of symptoms is commonly tied up in developmental experiences that have led to internal conflicts that have not had a chance to be resolved. Additionally, there is evidence for schema therapy in working with chronic depression. Schema therapy explores the presence of maladaptive beliefs held about the self that evolved in childhood and adolescence that keep individuals stuck in their cycle of depression.

At Bayside Psychotherapy, we privilege the speech of the patient and invite him or her to speak freely elaborating the experience of depression such that something new may become possible through the act of speaking. The first step is to schedule an initial session. Bookings can be made online or by phone.

We look forward to meeting with you.

Note: This information is informative only and is not to be used for diagnosis or substitution of appropriate assessment and/or treatment by a registered practitioner. Information on this page and our entire site should not be construed as implying that our therapists are specialists in treating any condition whatsoever. While some of our therapists may have experience working with people suffering from a specific condition, not all of our therapists do. We do not guarantee any particular level of performance, cure or management of symptoms. Each case is unique and responds differently with collaboration between client and therapist being crucial. Always seek appropriate assessment from a qualified professional such as a GP, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist or social worker especially if you are acutely distressed.

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