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PRIVATE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN LONDON | SPECIALIST DEPRESSION TREATMENT

Leading private depression treatment in London

We all get days when we feel unhappy or 'down'.

But people who experience clinical depression find every day a struggle. If feeling 'down' means that you struggle with daily living tasks and become isolated, you might be suffering from clinical depression.

Some people experiencing depression also say that they have lost their confidence and self-esteem. They might also be embarrassed and worry about being seen as weak. Here at Schoen Clinic, our specialised treatment for depression is designed to help you to increase your self-worth and reconnect with yourself, others and your community.

Start your treatment journey today. For fast access to specialised private mental health treatment in London at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, you can use your health insurance or simply fund your own treatment. Call our caring team direct on +44 20 4571 6312 or email us today.

Getting help with depression in the UK

Despite the national campaigns for raising mental health awareness and encouraging people to take ‘Time to Talk’, many people struggle with depression.

Do you feel burdened by all your responsibilities, feel that you can't cope and find that you can't sleep at night? These are signs that you may be depressed.

If you've ever found yourself (or someone you love) saying things like:

  • "I'm depressed"
  • "I suffer from depression"
  • "I can't deal with life"
  • "I'm not worth it"
  • "I can't go on!"

Have you ever found yourself saying something along these lines? Do you know someone who says these sorts of things? Sometimes, we don’t hear these pleas for help because people feel unable to share what they are truly thinking and feeling. Have you ever shared your feelings and found that nobody heard you? People don’t always know how to listen, to find out what is really going on with you.

At Schoen Clinic, we're here to put a stop to that. Our team are dedicated listeners and will help you to find positivity in your life again.

What is depression?

Depression is different from common mood changes and temporary emotional reactions to problems in daily life.

It's important to differentiate between feeling depressed in mood and depression as a disorder.

Everyone feels a low mood from time to time, but it can only be diagnosed as a clinical depressive disorder when it becomes chronic and has a noticeable impact on your daily life.

Depression can develop into a significant medical illness, especially if it is recurring and of a moderate to severe degree. The affected person may experience severe suffering and perform poorly at work, in school and among family.

Depression becomes an illness when it controls your life. Clinical depression is a mental health disorder classified as a mood disorder. This manifests as feelings of intense low mood, hopelessness, worthlessness and a marked decrease in motivation and enjoyment of activities.

These physical, emotional and behavioural symptoms are all associated with depression but, if you have a depressive disorder, you might not even feel anything at all. As depression is so personal to each individual, everyone experiences depression differently. That's why all our clinical depression treatments are based on one thing: you.

How serious is depression?

If you think that you might be depressed, it's easy to brush it off as "just having a bad phase".

But if you feel this way consistently, it's important to seek treatment for depression.

Depression affects how you feel, think and behave. Without treatment, depression can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.

At its very worst, depression can result in suicide. Every year, around 5,584 individuals die by suicide in the UK. Suicide is the fourth most common cause of death in 15-to-29-year-olds.

Although anyone can have suicidal thoughts, men are most at risk. Three-quarters of suicides are men.

If you're suffering from depression, it's important to intervene before it's too late. Book an appointment with our compassionate team to learn more about how we've helped others to make a successful depression recovery with us.

What causes depression?

Depression can affect anyone and there isn't one sole reason why depression occurs.

Depression is the result of a complex interplay of social, psychological and biological variables. However, you might be more prone to experiencing depression if you have experienced severe circumstances, such as unemployment, bereavement or other traumatic events.

There's also a connection between physical health and depression. For instance, depression can result from cardiovascular illness, and vice versa.

Whilst there isn't always an obvious reason why someone develops depression, there are certain risk factors which can increase vulnerability to developing a depressive disorder:

  • Genetic component: family history of depression or other mental illness
  • Alcohol and substance misuse
  • Giving birth (postnatal depression)
  • Low self-esteem
  • Traumatic childhood experiences
  • Abuse
  • Chronic stress
  • Trauma
  • Chronic illness
  • Upsetting or stressful life event(s)
  • Loneliness loss of role, job, status, money, relationship, etc.

No matter the reason for your depression, our clinical depression treatments are here to help you.

Start your treatment journey today. For fast access to specialised private mental health treatment in London at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, you can use your health insurance or simply fund your own treatment. Call our caring team direct on +44 20 4571 6312 or email us today.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Everyone has occasional feelings of depression, but they often only last a few days and disappear on their own.

Depression is different. If you suffer from depression, these moods interfere with your regular activities, making it tougher to engage in the activities that you like. A depressive episode lasts at least two weeks and is characterised by a depressed mood (sad, irritated or empty feelings) or a lack of enjoyment or interest in activities for most of each day.

Other signs may include:

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feelings of overwhelming guilt or low self-worth
  • A lack of hope for the future
  • Suicidal or death thoughts
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Changes in food
  • Feeling particularly exhausted or low on energy

What are the physical symptoms of depression?

Although depression is categorised as a mood disorder, that doesn't mean that depression comes without physical symptoms. Some of the most common physical symptoms of depression include:

  • Medically unexplainable pain or headaches
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Lack of libido
  • Menstrual cycle changes

There are many symptoms of depression so you might not experience them all. They vary from person to person in terms of intensity and duration. If you experience some or all of these physical symptoms, visit one of our depression clinics. Our team of experts specialise in major depressive disorder treatments − so there's no better place to begin your recovery.

What are the behavioural symptoms of depression?

  • Social isolation
  • Decreased standard of personal hygiene
  • Changes to appetite
  • Changes to sleeping pattern
  • Self-harm Irritability
  • Difficulties in decision-making
  • Slow movement and speech
  • Neglecting hobbies

What are the emotional symptoms of depression?

  • Intense low mood
  • Anxiety or worry
  • Negative views of self, future and world
  • Low self-esteem
  • Lack of motivation
  • Lack of enjoyment in previously pleasurable activities
  • Frustration
  • Feelings of guilt
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Sadness
  • Suicidal ideation

When to seek therapy for depression

The symptoms mentioned above can be an indication that you have depression. But only an experienced doctor or therapist can make a diagnosis after an extensive interview with you.

If you think you might have depression, the best thing to do is get in touch with a specialist who can help.

How do we decide if you need therapy for your depression?

After you’ve provided an unprompted account of your symptoms, we’ll clarify whether you have depression − and what type − using validated assessment tools. Physical healthcare investigations may be recommended to rule out any physical health conditions that may be causing or contributing to your low mood.

How do we create a private depression treatment plan?

At our leading mental health and depression clinic in London, a comprehensive assessment is carried out to identify your needs and treatment goals. We will listen to your story and ascertain how your low mood started.

Often a trigger such as trauma, bereavement, a relationship breakdown or a life change can mark the start of a depressive episode. However, you may be predisposed to depression and associated anxiety for many reasons. We will explore the possible underlying issues which shape your response to trauma and stress so that we can form a diagnosis.

If you are experiencing an ongoing depressive period, please don't suffer in silence. Avoid attempting to tough it out alone if you feel like you are becoming depressed. We offer a variety of outcome-based treatments and therapies for depression at our depression clinic in West London.

Start your treatment journey today. For fast access to specialised private mental health treatment in London at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, you can use your health insurance or simply fund your own treatment. Call our caring team direct on +44 20 4571 6312 or email us today.

What does treatment for depression look like?

We provide specialised, severe depression treatment at our leading mental health clinic in London

Self-help techniques, talking therapies and medications are frequently used in the treatment of depression. Your specific type of depression will determine the recommended course of treatment.

Typical treatments for depression include:

  • Medication − Medication provides an effective severe depression treatment. By altering the chemicals in the brain, the right medication can help you to improve your mood.
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) − CBT is a type of talking therapy for depression and anxiety that helps you to challenge typical thought patterns. This can empower you to think more positively.
  • Psychotherapeutic group sessions − Group sessions can be helpful in that they provide reassurance and support during what can be an extremely lonely time. By sharing similar experiences with a group, you'll realise that you're not alone.
  • A combination of some or all of the above.

We offer a highly specialised treatment programme for adults with common anxiety & mood disorders, including depression.

What are the best therapies for treating depression?

At Schoen Clinic, we understand that depression treatment can take many different forms. That's why we aim to offer a range of depression recovery options. Here are just some of the treatments which we offer at our depression retreats in the UK:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behaviour therapy for depression helps you to challenge and restructure unhelpful ways of thinking about yourself, others and the world. Cognitive therapy for depression also looks at your behaviours and how they might be construed as problematic with regard to your own wellbeing.

Psychotherapeutic group sessions

At Schoen Clinic, we offer numerous psychotherapeutic group sessions as part of your treatment or rehab for depression with us in the UK. Your therapist will select the groups suitable for you as part of your therapy plan.

  • Coping with depression group: Here you will learn how depression affects you as a person, as well as your interpersonal relationships. The group facilitator will encourage you to explore the thoughts, feelings and issues that are troubling you. These supportive groups help you to become more self-aware and enable you to try out skills in a safe environment.
  • Mindfulness therapy: Sometimes, people with depression also experience worry and anxiety. Mindfulness not only helps you to focus on the now and reminds you of the simpler more natural things in life, but it also assists you in refocusing away from negative and intrusive thoughts.

Schema therapy

Schema therapy helps you to understand the underlying emotional patterns that keep you stuck in a current or repeated depression. It empowers you to break your patterns of thinking and replace them with healthier ones.

Light therapy

Light therapy for depression can be used to treat major depressive disorder if your illness follows seasonal patterns. For example, if you suffer from sleep disorders or season affective disorder (SAD), light therapy can improve your circadian rhythm and positively impact your serotonin levels.

Psychotherapy

Through psychotherapy, we work together with you to develop starting points for positive changes in your life.
Therapy elements include:

  • Creating positive and enjoyable activities and experiences
  • Changing distorted, predominantly pessimistic thought patterns
  • Practising social skills for better relationships with other people
  • (Re)building social contacts
  • Creating strategies for solving problems
  • Sports therapy and physiotherapeutic measures
  • Mindfulness training

How do we use medication as part of our treatment for depression in the UK?

For moderate and severe depression, supportive medicinal treatment with antidepressants is often helpful.

At our depression clinic, our specialist Consultant Psychiatrist will review your medication and monitor the efficiency of your treatment. Antidepressant medication can provide you with help for your physical symptoms and mood. Medication can take some time to take effect but, in most cases, our patients find that it is important for their depression recovery.

To find out more about our clinical depression treatments, get in touch by calling our caring team direct on +44 20 4571 6312 or email us today.

LEADING DEPRESSION TREATMENT IN LONDON

Do you offer a specialised treatment programme for adults with anxiety & mood disorders?

Yes, we do. If you've been suffering from depression for a long time, you might feel as though you need a little more help to get you on the road to recovery.

At our renowned London mental health clinic, we provide highly specialised help, support and treatment for common mental health disorders.

Adults suffering from disorders like depression, anxiety, panic attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), stress, low mood, emotional trauma, low self-esteem, or bipolar disorder can access a variety of therapeutic treatments through our specialised specialised treatment programme.

Discover more about how our therapy for depression might be able to help you. Scan the QR code or visit the link below.

Make an enquiry
LEADING PRIVATE DEPRESSION TREATMENT IN LONDON

Why choose Schoen Clinic Chelsea for your private depression treatment?

Schoen Clinic Chelsea is one of the leading mental health clinics in London. Part of an international hospital group treating 300,000 patients each year, we've been helping people to recover from mental health problems for over 35 years.

Our leading London depression specialists work with you to identify how depression affects you so that we can find the best depression treatment options for you. Whether that's in a group or on a 1:1 basis, we have award-winning specialists on hand to help.

At our leading depression clinic, we follow evidence-based practices and NICE guidelines, while offering cutting-edge treatment. When you come to visit us, we will always endeavour to find out whether you feel safe and understand whether there are associated risks which require us to develop a safety plan with you.

At Schoen Clinic Chelsea we offer a comprehensive and holistic range of interventions and support. This means that we can provide the necessary support and mechanisms for your recovery.

Get in touch with the team today.

Start your treatment journey today. For fast access to specialised private mental health treatment in London at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, you can use your health insurance or simply fund your own treatment. Call our caring team direct on +44 20 4571 6312 or email us today.

Book your appointment today
Depression Frequently asked questions

Depression FAQs

Depression can have many different causes. It has several triggers and a wide range of potential causes.

A traumatic or stressful life event, such as a death in the family, a divorce, a sickness, a layoff or concerns about one's career or finances, may be the culprit for some people. Many people will also experience a 'downwards spiral' of events that leads to depression. For example, if you are going through a difficult divorce, you might withdraw socially and start drinking. If you do this, the combination of these three things might be the cause of your depression.

It's often thought that depression is more prevalent as you get older or in people who have more challenging economic and social circumstances.

Depression frequently results from a combination of many reasons.

Clinical depression that is left untreated is a major issue. Depression that is not addressed increases the likelihood of dangerous behaviours like drug or alcohol addiction. Additionally, it can damage relationships, lead to issues at work, and make it challenging to recover from catastrophic diseases.

Clinical depression left untreated can also lead to suicide. If you are having suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate help.

Although you cannot say for certain what causes depression, it's thought that some situations can increase the likelihood of depression. These include:

  • Conflicts: Personal conflicts or disagreements with family or friends might cause depression.
  • Abuse: Past instances of physical, sexual or emotional abuse may also contribute.
  • Positive life events: Even positive life events, such as relocating or graduating, can cause depression.
  • Illnesses: Some people with certain illnesses might be more likely to suffer from depression. For example, an underactive thyroid can cause extreme tiredness or a loss of libido, which can lead to depression.

To be diagnosed with clinical depression, an individual must have five depressive symptoms virtually every day for at least two weeks. A low mood or a lack of interest in or enjoyment from practically all activities must be one of the symptoms.

In children or adolescents, those suffering from depression might be irritable, rather than sad.

You could become disinterested in routine everyday tasks, experience hopelessness, be unproductive, have poor self-esteem and feel insufficient all around.

Your relationships, studies, employment and daily activities may be greatly hampered by these symptoms, which could last for years.

Although depression often first presents in one's late 20s or early 30s, depression may also strike children, adolescents and even the elderly.

Although depression can affect people of any age, ageing is frequently accompanied by illnesses and other pressures that have been associated with depression.

If depression isn't addressed, it frequently grows worse, leading to emotional, behavioural, and physiological issues that have an impact on every aspect of your life.

Examples of depression-related problems include:

  • Obesity or being overweight, which can cause diabetes and heart problems.
  • Pain or physical illness.

The majority of depressed persons find relief from their symptoms with medication and counselling. Medication might be prescribed by your primary care physician or psychiatrist to treat symptoms. However, consulting a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health experts can also be beneficial for many depressed people.

Our leading London private depression recovery specialists

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References:

  • Rabiya Nasir, E.J.and D.M. (2022) Suicides in England and Wales: 2021 registrations, Suicides in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2021registrations#:~:text=2.,10.7%20deaths%20per%20100%2C000%20people. (Accessed: November 9, 2022).
  • Suicide (no date) World Health Organization. World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide (Accessed: November 9, 2022).