| Module
1 : The Genesis of Depression.
Depression is a response to life’s difficulties, its
setbacks, shocks and ‘bad surprises’. As they
impact, we begin to realise that contrary to all our expectations,
our relationships can break down, our finances can be threatened,
our work life become an uphill struggle, our future altered
by physical illness or accidents, our peace of mind plundered
by abusers and bullies, our loved ones can die or betray us,
and our dreams and hopes can remain unfulfilled.
For some the offending agent is the self,
they have not turned out to be the person they planned to
be, and have let themselves down. Others feel abandoned by
their maker, and left alone, confused and without meaning,
to battle with adversity in a senseless world. Past unresolved
traumas can cast a shadow on present life, even though much
of their content may be lost to memory, their disruptive imprint
persisting as depression.
Module 2 :
Problem solving stage.
Unsettled and out of control, they look for solutions. They
may try a variety of distractions, throw themselves into work
or cut down their hours, contemplate changing career, or seek
chemical anaesthesia through alcohol or recreational drugs.
They experience all the stages of adjusting to loss and change
– "Could this really be happening to me?’(denial)
"It’s so unfair, I don’t deserve this!"
(anger) "I’ll make it happen, I’ll change
things if it kills me!" (bargaining)
When the reality they face remains as distasteful
and unacceptable as ever in spite of their efforts, aware
that they are truly without the resources to make an effective
response, they become overwhelmed. Dis-illusioned, trapped,
and despairing, they see no way out.
Every depression, whatever the cause, shares
the following
4 key elements.
• Absence of desire.
• Loss of Direction.
• Loss of control
• Self-loathing
A core belief now forms "Nothing I
do will make any difference" and the only viable rescue
option becomes "Something or someone will have to help
me to get out of this, because I cannot help myself".
A victim mentality can emerge, and an increasing regression
to a childlike dependency on others, with many ‘living
from the wound’ in an effort to elicit the support and
sympathy of others.
It is at this point that many seek medication
as their rescuer, and a diagnosis of ‘chemical imbalance’
fits their needs. Should it fail to work, and unable to bear
any more misery, some see suicide as the only option.
Module 3 :
Responsibility.
This is a crucial turning point at which they may begin to
concede that they must now become our own healer, that no
one else is going to help them. Acceptance that their issue
can and must be dealt with by them alone, is the first step
of change.
Now symptoms are viewed as a sign of imbalance,
messengers in disguise, offering them an opportunity to gain
essential skills they lacked, and their depressive response
giving way to a more empowering one.
Module 4 :
The Toolbox – Know thyself.
The personality is expressed through three primary avenues
- our thinking, (or belief system), our feelings, and our
behaviours, which are in a triangular relationship. This ‘triangle
of being’ is immersed in a certain context. Whether
that is pleasant and user-friendly, or noxious and distasteful,
will determine if we have positive thoughts, feel well, and
behave in certain ways, each of which affect the others.
Changes in feeling, can be brought about
by ensuring that our thoughts and behaviours are encouraging
and empowering, rather than undermining and frightening. Placing
ourselves in an environment which is healing, away from our
traditional context, can give us time to reflect and create
new avenues of movement which ultimately alter that over-riding
core belief of depression, that "nothing I do will make
any difference".
Module 5 :
The Self Conscious Observer and Development of the Witness.
We are all aware that there is a part of us which is performing,
and another which is looking on. An inner dialogue occurs
between them, which can be either congratulatory ("well
done, good job!") or critical ("what a screw-up,
loser"). In depression the observer has often turned
hostile and un-supportive, deriding us for our failures, rubbing
our nose in our past mistakes, comparing us to others and
guaranteeing us a life of mental turmoil.
The development of a friendly, compassionate
observer which encourages and applauds our faltering efforts
is an essential skill. Liberation from inner tyranny is fundamental
to easing the distress of depression.
In order to become aware of our critic’s
influence we need to acquire the ability to stand back, to
appreciate this intra-personal destructiveness. Acquiring
the ability to witness can assist us in tracing the origin
of our critic, and examining our early life for reasons why
our observer is programmed against us. The internalisation
of the voices of perfectionist parents or teachers, or hard
knocks very early in life, can lead to an inner presumption
that we are in truth no good. Our witness can encourage in
us a liberation stance by not tolerating such negative inner
voices any more, cutting us loose from the programming of
our past, and empowering us to make our own assessments of
our life.
Module 6 :
Anti-depressants, Homeopathy, Acupuncture and Body Therapies.
Anti-depressants may or may not work, and one should be aware
of its side effects, and the fact that they are mood-alterers,
not a cure. In other words they mask the problem rather than
permanently heal it. They act as psychic energisers, or ‘uppers’
giving nothing other than a kick-start to the system. The
anti-depressant approach ignores each individual’s unique
response to various distressing life issues and are therefore
best used, if at all, in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Homeopathy sees depression as the expression
of imbalance in the vital force. It attempts to understand
each individual patient’s nature, and prescribes a corresponding
remedy which has vibrational qualities to restore harmony
to the system.
Acupuncture stimulates the healing qualities
of the vital force, the life-force, or the ‘chi’.
If diminished energy and lack of drive is the central issue,
rather than negative thoughts and events, acupuncture can
be appropriate.
Body therapies such as massage, reflexology,
and craniosacral balancing are useful adjuncts in the freeing
up of blocked energy. The sense of touch has the added benefit
of making the receiver feel valued and worthwhile, and grounding
them in their body as opposed to continually ‘wheelspinning’
in their mind.
Module 7 :
Boundary management and Energy banking.
A common pattern in depression, which feeds into the core
belief "nothing I do makes any difference" is the
inability to set boundaries. Our psychological boundary is
like our front door, it defines our space, keeps us safe inside,
gives us choice, and fosters a strong sense of self. With
no such protection in place, we are at risk of being a slave
to the needs of the group, easily overwhelmed through our
inability to privilege our own needs, and to say "no".
The depression experienced in burn-out is
calling for an re-balancing to occur, and our future reference
point to be firmly placed within, rather than outside, particularly
in the role we play to others. We can learn to bank, or store
our energy, consciously choosing what to give it to, when,
and how much. By plugging the drains in our energy bank, we
move from ‘overdraft’ to ‘in the black’
and feel replenished and more in control. We begin to trust
ourselves again, and sure of a stable source of strength,
we can feel motivation and desire returning, and a sense of
purpose.
Module 8 :
Psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy derives from the Greek psyche meaning ‘soul’
and therapeia meaning ‘attendance’. If depression
is seen as a response to life issues and inner distress, as
such it can act as a messenger inviting us to explore the
origins of the response, such as past traumas, and to entertain
more effective ways of coping and new pathways of growth opened
up. A psychotherapist can ask us the kind of questions, and
encourage us into areas, which we would hesitate to explore
on our own.
Some depressions are of an existential nature,
questioning the very meaning of life and the relevance of
the hereafter, and require the skills of a psychotherapist
capable of working from that perspective.
Module 9 :
Sanctuary – Time Out in a Healing Environment.
Getting off the treadmill provides the invaluable time and
space to reconnect with our true selves, and engage in the
healthy practices which we may have lost touch with, whether
these be long sleeps, spending time in nature, travelling,
sporting and leisure activities, talking to old friends, eating
out, or making love.
At the lowest points, there are times when
what we need most is someone to take responsibility for our
most basic needs, such as cooking, shopping etc. This could
involve being ‘nursed’ back to health by bed-rest,
round the clock sleeping, leisurely baths, and companionship
without intrusion in a low stimulation environment.
Module 10
: Chakras.
The chakras are best understood as being seven major electro-magnetic
centres running from the crown to the base of the spine. Their
purpose is to draw in and channel the life-force to every
aspect of our mind-body-spirit organism. Each physical, emotional,
mental, and spiritual function is mediated through the chakra
system.
Certain dysfunctional patterns in this system are clearly
identified with the state of depression. A knowledge of how
to work with the energetic system is a vital tool in its healing.
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