Coaching and Depression

March 29th, 2010 by Steve Scott

Tell someone you feel depressed and they will know what you are talking about. Feelings of low mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, sadness, being negative and perhaps feeling worthless are all symptoms commonly referred to as depression. Some of these feelings, or emotions such as sadness, is as normal as other emotions such as fear, anger, and happiness. Sadness can have a beneficial effect, which may sound strange, but it enables us to reflect on our behaviour and to make changes in our lives to prevent future sadness. However, not all these emotions are helpful and if left alone can lead to a more longer lasting and extreme form of depression.

At any one point in time 1 in 10 people will have a depressive illness and the lifetime risk of depression is 12% for men and 25% for women. Rather like the normal process of bereavement, a depressed mood is a common and normal experience in everyones life. What distinguishes the mental health problems of a depressive illness are the severity, persistence and duration of the symptoms.

The symptoms of depression can be:
Long-lasting deep depressed mood
Poor concentration
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Loss of interest or enjoyment in usual activities
Reduced confidence
Diminished libido
Disturbed sleep
Feelings of fatigue
Disturbed appetite
Ideas of deliberate self-harm or suicide

Coaching can help these symptoms of depression, in conjunction with any other treatment as prescribed by the doctor. The coach will help you understand your depression, where it may have come from, what it may be feeding on and the effects of biology. The coach will take a holistic approach to your life and will assist in defining problems, setting goals, deal with anxiety and fear, increase self-esteem and decrease levels of anger. Together we will create new beliefs about yourself, overcome barriers to progress and adopt healthy attitudes to life.