Depression and mood-related concerns
Having days feeling a bit low is an inevitable part of life, but this experience can be prolonged or intensified by various factors which can result in what we call depression or a depressive disorder. A clinical psychologist can often help clients work out how depression is formed. For some, certain maladaptive coping strategies can create cycles of distress; for others, years of accumulated experiences or ongoing stressors can lead to some extreme lows. An Orchid Tree psychologist can help you uncover these stressors and coping styles while developing appropriate therapy to help make feelings of depression more manageable.
Seeing a Psychologist for Mood-Related Concerns in Australia
According to the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-2022, around 7.5% of Australians had a 12-month Affective disorder (which means a disorder related to mood).
To utilise the 10 subsidised sessions you get from Medicare well, an Orchid Tree psychologist will seek to help you understand how your depression or other concerns are maintained. Mood disorders can grow from any number of factors, including experiential avoidance, distress intolerance, losing connection with our values, reduction in activity level, unhelpful ways to manage emotions such as using alcohol or drugs, and many more. A psychologist can help clients understand the origin of these persistent low feelings or depression.
Depression can also lead to disruption in sleep and appetite, which in turn, worsens mood. It is important therefore that a psychologist helps clients engage with therapy that addresses such symptoms.
An Orchid Tree psychologist will assess the range of impacts that an individual’s depression may be having before recommending a therapy or treatment plan that addresses these holistically.
FAQs
What is depression and/or a mood disorder?
It is important to understand first what depression and mood disorders are not. A psychologist might tell you that our emotions are like the weather; there will be days that are sunny and some that rain. Consequently, feelings of sadness or demotivation are inevitable after periods of heightened stress (e.g. a difficult work project, or the loss of a loved one). Generally, we heal naturally from these experiences and may even feel mentally stronger as a result. That being said, seeing a psychologist or speaking about the experience with family or friends, may help process the painful feelings that have contributed to low mood. A psychologist would not define this dip as an example of a depressive disorder; it is rather a natural part of the human experience.
On the contrary, those struggling with depression are likely to experience prolonged periods of sadness which seem to worsen continuously. There may be brief periods where they feel their mood is mangeable, only for the depression to return. A clinical psychologist can help in finding a diagnosis, clarifying what is making these experiences continue, and helping you start your healing through therapy. The strategies provided by an Orchid Tree psychologist can include helping you to identify what brings you meaning in life, increasing activity levels, learning how to manage and open up to thoughts and feelings, setting realistic goals, finding routines or improving your interpersonal relationships.
When to see a psychologist for mood concerns?
If you notice yourself not managing depression or low mood for a period of time, you might consider engaging with a psychologist. Even if your depression has not yet affected your social, work, or personal life, a psychologist can help you determine what kinds of therapy might be beneficial for you. Depending on your level of need, you may decide that you need a psychologist who focuses on counselling (appropriate for acute stress/ grief), or to engage in more structured psychological treatment and therapy.