Depression

Cognitive behavioral techniques
Counselling and Psychotherapy
Self-help Groups
Drug Therapy
Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT)
Complementary Therapies
Help and Resources

Whilst one's genes and physical causes can play a part, generally it is life events and early childhood experiences that are the chief sources of depression. It is hardly surprising therefore to find that LGB people are disproportionately affected by this widespread form of mental distress. The Mind leaflet "Understanding Depression" defines depression as a medical term covering a broad range of psychological distress. These range from its mildest form that can cause lowered mood without interfering with your normal life to severe depression that can be life threatening.

Cognitive behavourial techniques
In the preface to his book "Overcoming Depression", Paul Gilbert sees depression as a state of mind, which like any other state of mind such as grief, fear or sexual arousal is associated with chemical changes in the brain. He states that "in depression people experience all kinds of thoughts and feelings coming from different systems within the brain, and these can be difficult to control or make sense of." His book provides a self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques. Cognitive behavioral techniques are one of the most recent methods of 'talking therapies' that some people believe to be the most effective form of psychological therapy for emotional disorders.

Counseling and Psychotherapy
Counseling involves talking with a person trained to listen and help you find your own solutions to your problems. Psychotherapy is similar to counseling but works at a deeper level with a psychotherapist, looking at the past and at significant relationships

Self-help Groups
Meeting with other people with similar problems can help to break down feelings of isolation and provide opportunities for exchanging information and experiences.

Drug Therapy
Antidepressants work on chemicals in the brain to lift your mood. They aren't a cure but can alleviate the symptoms sufficiently for you to take action to help yourself. They don't work for everyone and can have unpleasant side-effects and dangerous interactions with other drugs.

Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT)
This can provide effective treatment for people with severe depression when all other options have failed. However, It is considered by some users to be a controversial therapy which involves a general anesthetic and passing electric current through the brain causing convulsions like an epileptic fit. It can have severe side effects such as memory loss and increased risk of developing brain tumors

Complementary Therapies
There is a wide range of alternative/complementary therapies available that may be beneficial. St John's Wort (Hypericum) has a long history of use as a herbal antidepressant. Studies at Harvard University, America and currently (2001) at the Institute of Psychiatry in London suggest that omega-3 fish oils can help reduce depression and may act as a mood stabilizer when taken at an adequate dosage.

Hands on treatments can also be a help. These include: acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy massage, homeopathy. The significant difference between these and orthodox western medicine is that they do not see the body and mind as separate entities but treat the patient holistically rather than simply treating symptoms. Yoga and Tai Chi have a similar beneficial effect for calming the mind and relaxing the body to reduce stress.

Help and Resources Books & Leaflets On-line Resources