Depression can be defined as the use of energy to surpress feelings.

Depression can affect many people at different times in their life and often derives from a traumatic event, such as redundancy, bereavement or serious physical illness. Genes also play a part in this, and it is true to say that some people are more predisposed to depression than others. How a person reacts to depression varies hugely, and in many cases, depression does not prevent the sufferer from getting on with their daily life. However at an extreme, depression can become hugely debilitating.

We can get stuck in depression if we hold family and cultural messages that tell us feeling and showing emotions is bad and wrong. Our treatment will support you in unlocking any limiting beliefs you have about expressing feelings, and teaching you skills in emotional literacy. If you can learn how to feel your feelings, and learn how to express your needs and feelings to others, then you will no longer be depressed.

As with anxiety, bingeing on certain foods can become a way to soothe feelings of depression. However, this may create a vicious circle, as being overweight or discovering further medical complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, may increase depression and trigger further eating and weight gain. Research shows us that positive changes to diet and lifestyle can help relieve the symptoms of depression.

Checklist

  • Tiredness, loss of energy and insomnia
  • Sadness and hopelessness
  • Loss of self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Difficulty concentrating and struggling at school or work
  • Loss of pleasure in activities you normally enjoy
  • Withdrawal from close relationships
  • No interest in sex
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Self harm

HOW WEIGHTMATTERS CAN HELP

DOCTOR

Our doctor will assess the impacts of depression and obesity on your body, and prescribe medication where necessary

DIETICIAN

Our dietician will design a nutritionally balanced programme to support a healthy balance of brain chemistry, weight loss for obesity or weight maintenance in disordered eating, to help you soothe your depression

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

Our therapists will work with you to understand and unravel the issues that are maintaining your depression, and teach you new skills of how you can feel and express your emotions and needs

BODY THERAPY

Our body therapists will help to soothe, relax and calm your body and mind, allowing unwanted tension and locked emotion to be released