ACACIA THERAPY CONDITIONS TREATED
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DEPRESSION

Once people slide into depression for whatever reason, they become bogged down in negative thinking. This leads to worries, fears, hopelessness and these strong emotions dominate the depression. One consequence of this is disturbed sleep and excessive dreaming which results in waking up feeling down and unable to be active or motivated.

The implications of the above for lifting depression are
· Strong emotions and high emotional arousal need to be calmed using appropriate relaxation skills – breathing retraining, guided imagery or relaxing hypnotic techniques
· Negative thinking has to be challenged and stopped by whatever relevant means the therapist recommends
· Clients attention must be focussed outwards, on, for example, physical activity (especially), pleasurable activity and problem solving
· Antidepressants can help in some instances but counselling greatly reduces the chances of future episodes of depression as the client learns to manage symptoms if they reappear