Depression
Many people feel sad, low, or overwhelmed from time to time, that’s part of being human; depression is different. It’s not “just feeling down” or having a bad week. Depression brings a deeper, more persistent sense of sadness or emptiness that can make everyday life feel heavy and harder to manage. You might be asking yourself, “Why do I feel like this?”, “Why can’t I get motivated?” or “Why do I feel numb?” These questions make sense. Depression affects how you feel, how you think, and how your body functions, often all at once.
Depression shows up differently for everyone, but common experiences include:
- Low mood – feeling sad, flat, or tearful without a clear reason
- Loss of motivation – everyday tasks feel overwhelming or pointless
- Reduced self‑esteem – harsh self‑criticism or feeling “not good enough”
- Difficulty concentrating – struggling to focus or remember things
- Changes in appetite – eating more or less than usual
- Sleep difficulties – sleeping too much or too little
- Low energy – feeling exhausted or physically slowed down
- Feeling numb – emotions feel muted or switched off
- Withdrawing from others – socialising feels too draining or too difficult
Experiencing depression can affect all areas of your life, including your social and work life, as those with depression may withdraw from others.
Depression also colours your thinking. Thoughts can become more negative, more absolute, or more self‑critical. You might find yourself thinking in “all or nothing” terms, e.g., “I’m failing,” or “I can’t cope,” and “Nothing will change.” These thoughts can feel very convincing, even when they’re not accurate.
Emotionally, depression can make it hard to feel much at all. Some people describe feeling disconnected from themselves or others, even in situations where they would normally feel joy, sadness, or excitement. People with depression often report intense feelings of guilt, or of letting others down. Depression leads to intense feelings of sadness which can last for weeks, months or in some cases years. The symptoms of depression can vary from mild to severe, at its most severe, people may feel that life is not worth living. Sometimes depression brings feelings of hopelessness, suicide or thoughts of self‑harm. If you’re experiencing these thoughts, it’s important to reach out for immediate support, your GP, A&E, or the Samaritans can help you stay safe and get the care you need.
Depression can make you feel isolated, but talking things through with a therapist can help you make sense of why it feels so hard and begin to find steadier ground again. If you’re wondering whether therapy might help, or you’d simply like a space to talk things through, you’re welcome to get in touch. There’s no pressure or commitment, just a chance to explore what you need and whether working together feels right for you.
