Low Mood (Depression) Support, Assessment and Treatment For Adults
We all feel fed up or miserable at times. Mostly, that’s a good thing. It prompts us to make changes in our lives. But if these feelings go on for too long (weeks or months) and become so pronounced that they start to affect every area of your life, you may have depression (low mood).
Depression is NOT trivial. It’s a real illness with real symptoms.You cannot ‘snap out’ of depression by ‘pulling yourself together’.
How can we support you with depression?
As a rainbow is diverse, so will be your care with Rainbow Medical. Your assessment and treatment planning can occur in the same appointment, but, likewise, you may want more time. In collaboration with your Psychiatrist/Counsellor, you lead the service you receive.
There is one clear similarity between both depression and anxiety and that’s how they are treated. There are two categories of treatment: psychological therapies and medicines.
Psychological therapies involve talking through your thoughts and feelings with a qualified professional. An example is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which aims to identify any unrealistic and unhelpful ways of thinking and then develop new, more helpful ways of thinking and behaving.
Medicines called antidepressants are used for both depression and anxiety. If your depression is moderate or severe or goes on for a long time, your psychiatrist may suggest a course of antidepressants, usually one that is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
Depression and anxiety are different mental health conditions, but depression and anxiety do often co-exist. Depression is a mood disorder characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) can be defined clinically by excessive anxiety and worry occurring on most days for more than six months.
When depression is accompanied by symptoms of anxiety, the first priority should usually be to treat the depression.
Depression is defined by having a low mood and/or a loss of interest or enjoyment in most activities, for two weeks or longer. These are the ‘core symptoms’ of depression. It has lots of different symptoms and it may feel very different to different people. You may experience a range of mood and physical symptoms.
In your mind:
- feel unhappy, miserable, down, depressed – this feeling just won’t go away and can be worse at a particular time of day.
- lose your self-confidence
- feel guilty and unworthy
- start to feel hopeless, and perhaps even suicidal.
In your body:
- feel restless, nervous or agitated
- feel exhausted and have no energy
- have difficulty sleeping
- can’t eat and lose weight or ‘comfort eat’ more and put on weight.
- being slower in your movements.
When you first come to see us, you will have an assessment. Co-production enables our person-centred care; your assessment will be comprehensive, and, most importantly, collaborative.
One of our core values is to provide you with a personable and personal service; we believe in your ability to face, experience, and survive the unknown, and that your experience can help us improve our service.
After the assessment, a comprehensive treatment plan will be discussed, which may include medication, psychotherapy or both. This could be a separate appointment or part of your assessment.
Your Psychiatrist and your Counsellor will meet to discuss a personalised treatment plan that may, but not always, include medication. Because Co-production and person-centred care are our core values, we will discuss, with you, non-pharmacological treatment in combination with medication. Medication will only be discussed with your Consultant Psychiatrist, not a Counsellor. Other therapeutic approaches will also be discussed, which may include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
You will always have time to consider all your options. A costed treatment package will be offered to you and you will have a two-week cooling off period. You can cancel a treatment plan at any time.
Whether you are receiving CBT from a Counsellor or meeting your Psychiatrist, we believe in your ability to face, experience, and survive the unknown, and that your experience improves your own care. We will conduct reviews of your treatment plan together, in collaboration.
We will always be frank: without openness and transparency, co-production cannot work.; trialling medication and getting the right dosage level (which is also known as titration) typically involves more than one appointment.
Anxiety and depression are two different things, but they often come together. When you’re anxious, you’re worried about the future. When you’re depressed, you’re stuck in the past. There is nothing good about either but there is always the possibility of coming out the other side stronger.
Dr. Josep Vilanova
Consultant Psychiatrist
A referral is not required initially. However, if a diagnosis of depression is likely, we will let you know when to request a GP referral.
A Psychiatric assessment lasts approximately 1 hour and costs £420. You can find our full Fees and Cancellation policy by clicking here.
The first meeting with your Psychiatrist and the Diagnoses takes approximately 1 hour.
Understanding depression is an important part of helping and being kinder to ourselves. We recommend you visit the Royal College of Psychiatrists website on depression by clicking here. The NHS and NICE also have comprehensive resources on understanding and treating depression.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists recommended resources:
Association for Postnatal Illness (APNI): APNI provides support to mothers with postnatal depression. It exists to increase public awareness of the condition and to encourage research into its cause and nature. Helpline: 0207 386 0868 (10am–2pm Monday to Friday).
Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN): The UK’s largest independent organisation, with the aim of addressing the inequality of access to appropriate psychological services for Black, African, South Asian and Caribbean people. They provide information on mental health, a directory where people can find a therapist, events, training and other resources. Email:[email protected]
CALM (Campaign against Living Miserably): A national campaign focused on fighting depression and suicide among young men. Confidential helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight, 7 days a week).
Depression UK: A national mutual support group for people with depression. Email: [email protected].
Men’s Health Forum: A charity that supports men’s health in England, Wales and Scotland, through research, raising awareness about men’s health issues, and providing health information and advice. Phone: 020 7922 7908.
Mental Health Forum: An online community where people can get mutual support from people with a similar experience.
Mind: A mental health charity that provides advice and support for people experiencing mental health problems, as well as information about local peer support groups. Helpline: 0300 123 3393 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday). Also provides information on how to cope for people who are supporting someone else. Local Minds can help you find a mental health service close to where you live.
MindOut: A mental health service run by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) people. They provide advice and information, online support, counselling, peer support and advocacy. Phone: 01273 234 839 Email:[email protected]
NHS: Information on how to access mental health services.
Papyrus Hopeline UK: A professionally staffed helpline providing support, practical advice and information to people under the age of 35 who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, or are worried about someone else. Hopeline:0800 068 41 41.
Reading Well Agency: Books on Prescription: A scheme that helps people to manage their wellbeing using self-help reading. It is endorsed by health professionals, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and is supported by public libraries.
Relate: UK’s largest provider of relationship support. Offers a range of counselling services. Enquiries: 0300 003 0396.
Samaritans: A national charity based in the UK and Republic of Ireland that provides confidential emotional support to any person who is suicidal or in distress. Helpline: 116 123. Email: [email protected]
SaneLine: A national out-of-hours telephone helpline offering emotional support and information for people affected by mental health problems. Helpline: 0300 304 700 (4.30pm to 10.30pm daily). Email: [email protected]
Stonewall: Provides information and support for LGBTQ+ communities, including information on services and local groups. Freephone: 0800 050 2020 (open Monday to Friday, 9:30-4:30) Email [email protected]
Switchboard: An LGBTQ+ helpline that provides an information, support and referral service for anyone who wishes to discuss issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity, including their mental health. They provide an online chat, phoneline: 0300 330 0360 (from 10am to 10pm everyday) Email: [email protected]
Young Minds: A national charity committed to improving the mental health of all children and young people under 25. Parents’ helpline: 0808 802 5544 (9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday).
Zero Suicide Alliance: Provides free online training around suicide awareness and prevention, to help people support someone they may be worried about.
NICE recommends these resources:
Hafal (Wales), part of the Adferiad Recovery group of charities
Mind, Infoline 0300 123 3393
National Survivor User Network
SANE, SANEline 0300 304 7000
You can expect to receive your psychiatric assessment/report in 4 days, from the date of your consultation with a consultant psychiatrist.
On average, all our patients have received their reports in two days.
Your report will include, where relevant:
- Your Background information and History
- A risk assessment
- The Diagnostic tools used and their results
- A Clinical impression
- Your diagnosis
- Clinical and Holistic treatment Recommendations
- A costed treatment plan which includes a two-week cooling-off period.