Depression
The word depression comes from the Latin verb deprimere, meaning “to press down.” Originally, it described forcing something down or defeating it. By the 1620s, people used it to talk about sadness or a “low mood.” In the 1850s, doctors started using it to describe a drop in emotional or mental health, and it eventually replaced the older term melancholia.
Melancholia comes from ancient Greek words that mean “black bile.” Early Greek doctors, like Hippocrates, thought that having too much “black bile” in the body caused deep sadness and fear. As medicine advanced, this idea was rejected. Today, the term depression is used instead because it covers many experiences, from mild to severe, including types like major depression, seasonal depression, postnatal depression, and others.
So what is depression? It is a mental health condition that affects how we feel, think, and function. Depression is more than just feeling sad for a little while. It lasts for weeks, months, or even longer. People with depression might feel sad or low, lose interest in things they once enjoyed, feel tired, and notice changes in their sleep or appetite. They may also feel worthless, have trouble concentrating, and, in severe cases, think about suicide.
The psychodynamic approach to depression started with Sigmund Freud’s work Mourning and Melancholia (1917). Freud thought that losing someone or something important in childhood could make a person more likely to feel depressed as an adult. He also believed that people with depression often turn their anger inward, which leads to strong self-criticism.
Attachment theory also helps explain depression. If a child loses someone close or has unstable relationships with caregivers, they might grow up thinking they are unlovable or that people will leave them. Later in life, new losses can bring back these painful feelings and may lead to depression.
We can see these ideas in today’s culture. In music, artists like Billie Eilish talk about feeling empty, numb, or full of self-doubt. Adele’s songs often deal with grief and losing relationships, showing how separation can cause deep sadness.
In movies, depression is often shown through characters who have gone through trauma and loss. For example, in Joker, the main character’s early neglect and isolation lead to serious mental health problems.
In books, depression is sometimes shown using metaphors. For example, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Dementors stand for depression because they take away happiness and make people relive painful memories.
Overall, depression is a complex condition influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. From its early history as melancholia to today’s theories and cultural examples, depression is clearly connected to loss, trauma, and relationships.
How does psychodynamic counselling help?
Psychodynamic counselling helps people see how their past experiences and relationships shape how they feel now. Rather than just looking at symptoms, it explores the deeper causes of depression.
Here are some ways it can help:
Depression is not always caused by current stress. It can be connected to past experiences, often from childhood. The psychodynamic approach helps people become aware of these hidden influences so they can understand them.
Early relationships with parents or caregivers shape how you see yourself and others. For example, if you felt unloved, you might have low self-esteem or fear rejection, which can lead to pulling away from others or feeling isolated.
People with depression might repeat unhelpful patterns in relationships, like choosing partners who are emotionally distant. Therapy can help them notice and change these patterns.
Depression can include hidden feelings such as anger, grief, or guilt. Counselling gives people a safe place to explore and express these emotions.
People often cope by avoiding problems or denying them. While this might help for a while, it can keep depression going. Therapy helps people find better ways to cope.
This approach aims to help people gain insight and self-awareness, which can lead to lasting improvements in mood and relationships.
