Treating Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that causes constant low mood and loss of interest in day-to-day activities. While it’s normal to experience mood swings from time to time, people living with depression experience more persistent and severe symptoms that can disrupt their daily lives.

Depression – Common Symptoms Include:

• Feeling sadness most of the day

• Persistent feelings of hopelessness and emptiness

• Loss of energy and zest

• Loss of interest and motivation to do activies

• Self blame and self hatred

• Eating more (or less) than usual

• Sleeping more (or less) than usual

• Trouble concentrating and making decisions

• Suicidal thoughts

Depression Treatment (No Medication)

Effective evidence-based treatments that Biinu use include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

A range of structured approaches prioritises managing and overcoming current issues over exploring root causes. Research suggests that when people feel distressed or worried, we often fall into patterns of thinking and response which can exacerbate unwanted feelings. CBT is an evidence-based approach which helps people identify and adjust harmful or unhelpful patterns of thought and action. More functional patterns of thinking and action are trialled and developed over the course of therapy.



• Mindfulness-based Therapy

This approach is centred around practices that help focus non-judgmental attention on how we are experiencing our flow of feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations in the present moment. This type of attention increases understanding of what type of thoughts, feelings and actions hinder our wellbeing. Common techniques used to practice mindfulness include meditation, yoga, body scan awareness and elements of cognitive therapy.



• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is a new wave approach that aims to help people make meaningful changes to their life even in the presence of unwanted emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. Various techniques are used to improve “psychological flexibility”. With increased psychological flexibility, less energy is spent on things not within our control and more is spent focusing on practical actions that contribute to wellbeing.



• Positive Psychology

This can be called the science of wellbeing and a lot of modern research has been carried out to understand the range of attributes required to promote wellbeing within an individual. It steers away from the focus on what causes problems and shifts the focus on developing attributes shown to foster wellbeing.



• Schema Therapy

This therapy focuses on the identification and treatment of deep-rooted and self-defeating patterns that typically develop when a person’s core emotional needs are not met. These patterns called Schemas are seen as root cause of psychological and emotional issues. By targeting unhelpful schemas, it offers a way for individuals to break unhelpful patterns of thinking and response to their struggles whilst developing healthier alternatives.



• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

The emphasis of IPT is improving communication and building relationships, which can help people understand how they are seen, and how they impact others. This creates the basis for a more positive and balanced state of mental health. By exploring the patterns and experiences in relationships, an individual can devise effective ways to resolve the difficulties causing them mental distress.

Biinu provides a comfortable and understanding space to express your experience to a board approved depression psychologist in Sydney, or via online sessions.

For further questions on therapy for depression or depression help in Sydney, please send them through via our Contact Us form or call us directly on (02) 7252 2860.