ADDITIONAL CLINIC TO DEAL WITH "DEPRESSING" JANUARY

January generally sees a rise in the number of people seeking help for Depression according to Dr Adrian Winbow, Medical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist at Private Psychiatry.

Dr Winbow, who has over 30 year experience of treating patients with a wide variety of mental health conditions, notes that "Each year, we see an increase in enquiries from people with depression following the Christmas Holiday period.  The New Year can be a time when those who have been fighting depression aim to take a positive step forward by seeking help."

Depression is quite different from just feeling sad.  Sadness is a normal human emotional state which usually lifts over a period of time.  However, in some cases, this sadness can progress into depression.  In other cases, depression can be precipitated by a series of negative life events, such as bereavement, redundancy, divorce, bankruptcy, loss of status and financial problems.   In the present recession, there are an increasing number of people presenting to family doctors with depression and an increasing number of people seeking counselling for their problems.

People who have depression tend to have a combination of symptoms including low mood, loss of energy, loss of enjoyment or feeling of pleasure, altered appetite, disrupted sleep, poor concentration and motivation, a negative outlook and in some cases thoughts and ideas of suicide.  If such feelings do not lift after a few weeks, or are so bad they affect daily life it is time to seek treatment.

It is important not to ignore these symptoms.   "Most people with depression will eventually get better without treatment, usually over a six to eight month period.  However, the detrimental effect on relationships, employment and general health in this time suggest that early treatment is beneficial" observes Dr Winbow.

Dr Winbow suggests that psychological treatment for depression revolves round the three "T's". Time, it will take a few months to feel better; Talking through counseling and cognitive behavioural therapy; and Tablets in the form of antidepressants.  It takes the antidepressants a few weeks to work and they have to be prescribed in an adequate dosage for an adequate length of time, usually six months.  These drugs are not addictive and work on the mood chemical, serotonin, in the brain.

The treatment for depression varies depending on the severity of the illness.  Mild depression may sometimes be effectively treated simply talking though problems with a friend or relative.  There are also many self-help resources available and research has shown that regular exercise often helps.

The next step may be to see a GP who might prescribe antidepressant medication or make a referral to a therapist offering an appropriate talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

 If the GP feels it is necessary, they can also refer to a psychiatrist, either under the NHS or privately or to a member of the Community Mental Health Team, who has specialist training and experience in mental health problems. This team can provide support both in the person's home or in out-patient clinics. Patients can also attend a day hospital or even be admitted as in-patients if the illness is very severe.

In response to the increase in demand for appointments, Dr Winbow has just introduced a new clinic at The BMI Blackheath Hospital in addition to his clinics in Central London; Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Beckenham in Kent; and Croydon in Surrey.  Please call 01732 836320, email advice@privatepsychiatry.co.uk or visit our website at www.privatepsychiatry.co.uk for more details.