Understanding Depression

An accessible and informative guide to understanding depression, written specifically for clients.

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Guide (PDF)

A psychoeducational guide. Typically containing elements of skills development.

Overview

Our ‘Understanding…’ series is a collection of psychoeducation guides for common mental health conditions. Friendly and explanatory, they are comprehensive sources of information for your clients. Concepts are explained in an easily digestible way, with plenty of case examples and accessible diagrams. Understanding Depression is designed to help depressed clients understand more about their condition.

Why Use This Resource?

This guide aims to help clients learn more about depression. It explains what depression is, what the common symptoms are, and effective ways to address it, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Identify symptoms of depression and the factors that contribute to it.
Understand what keeps depression going.
Explore effective treatments for depression.
Gain insights into how people experience depression and how they overcome it.

Key Benefits

Comprehensive

Explores what depression is and what maintains it.

Relatable

Contains detailed examples and relatable case studies.

Supportive

Written in a friendly and accessible manner.

Hopeful

Outlines effective treatment options.

Who is this for?

Depression

Designed to help clients understand and learn more about depression.

Integrating it into your practice

Assess

Identify clients who may be experiencing depression.

Provide the guide to clients who could benefit from it.

Educate

Use the content to inform clients about depression and help normalize their experiences.

Reflect

Discuss the client's personal experience with depression.

Intervene

Plan treatment with the client or direct them to other sources of help and support.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

While it is normal for individuals to feel 'down' occasionally, depression involves more persistent and pervasive low mood. In clinical depression, the low mood typically lasts for weeks or longer. Mild forms of depression may allow a person to continue functioning, albeit with difficulty, while more severe depression can lead to profound impairment - including suicidal thoughts - and a significant reduction in daily functioning.

Epidemiological estimates suggest that between 3% and 7% of the population experience depression each year. The outlook is positive, however, as there are a range of effective treatments available, including both psychological and pharmacological interventions.

What's inside

Introduction to depression.
Guidance for introducing and using the resource with clients.
Key references for learning more about depression.

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FAQs

Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and a range of emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms that significantly interfere with daily functioning.

Important maintenance factors often include reduced activity, unhelpful thinking habits (e.g., self-criticism), and rumination.

CBT is an effective therapy that focuses on addressing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that maintain depression.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By using this resource in their clinical practice, therapists can:

Identify individuals who may be experiencing depression.
Help clients better understand their difficulties and what maintains them.
Explore treatment options.
Encourage hope and optimism about change.

References And Further Reading

Stansfeld, S., Clark, C., Bebbington, P., King, M., Jenkins, R., & Hinchliffe, S. (2016). Chapter 2: Common mental disorders. In S. McManus, P. Bebbington, R. Jenkins, & T. Brugha (Eds.), Mental health and wellbeing in England: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014. Leeds: NHS Digital.
Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 617-627.
Beck, A. T., Bredemeier, K. (2016). A unified model of depression: integrating clinical, cognitive, biological, and evolutionary perspectives. Clinical Psychological Science, 4(4), 596-619.
[4] Culverhouse, R. C., et al. (2018). Collaborative meta-analysis finds no evidence of a strong interaction between stress and 5-HTTLPR genotype contributing to the development of depression. Molecular Psychiatry, 23(1), 133-142.
Spijker, J. A. N., et al. (2002). Duration of major depressive episodes in the general population: results from NEMESIS. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 181(3), 208-213.
Ekers, D., et al. (2014). Behavioural activation for depression; an update of meta-analysis of effectiveness. PloS one, 9(6), e100100.
Kanter, J. W., et al. (2010). What is behavioral activation?: A review of the empirical literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(6), 608-620.
Dimidjian, S., et al. (2011). The origins and current status of behavioral activation treatments for depression. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 7, 1-38.
Beck, A. T., et al. (1979). Cognitive Therapy of Depression. New York: Guilford press.
Watkins, E. R. (2018). Rumination-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression. Guilford Publications.
Cuijpers, P., et al. (2020). Psychotherapies for depression: a network meta-analysis covering efficacy. World Psychiatry.
National Institute For Health And Care Excellence (2009). Depression in adults: recognition and management. Retrieved from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg90/resources/depression-in-adults-recognition-and-management-pdf-975742638037

Unified Protocol For Transdiagnostic Treatment Of Emotional Disorders In Adolescents

Understanding Depression

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Guide (PDF)

Overview

Why Use This Resource?