Depression Help Thailand
Depression Help in Thailand
Professional counselling services for those looking for depression help in Thailand. Depression is a complex mood disorder that extends far beyond mere unhappiness or feeling down for a few days. It significantly impacts thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, profoundly affecting mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Often, depression arises from a combination of factors, sometimes rooted in the past, and can be triggered or worsened by recent stressful or upsetting life events, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy, or financial worries.
In some cases, feelings of depression can follow an accident, illness, or viral infection, leading to a noticeable decline in mood and functioning. People might describe this experience as “going downhill” or “on a downward spiral” after encountering one or multiple challenging events. For instance, the breakup of a relationship, the loss of a family member, significant changes in work or finances, or increased substance use can all trigger a depressive episode.
Research indicates that depression is more prevalent among older adults, individuals from minority groups, and those facing challenging social and economic circumstances.
Common Causes of Depression
STRESS
Most people take time to come to terms with stressful events like bereavement, relationship breakdown or work increase/decrease. An increased risk of depression can come from attempting to deal with problems without sharing your feelings with family and friends.
LIFE EVENTS
There will always be something going on in our lives, but sometimes we are hit harder than others, e.g., relationship breakdown, loss, isolation, overlooked for promotion, change in economic circumstances.
LONELINESS
Feelings of loneliness can come from either you or your family and friends moving away or losing contact with them, or leaving a job can increase your risk of depression.
ALCOHOL OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE
We live in a culture where the messages we receive allow us to believe that drinking and substances can help us get through rough times. However, using alcohol and substances to cope affects brain chemistry and can result in a downward spiral of depression.
TRAUMA / PTSD
Unresolved trauma or PTSD can manifest as depression when the mental and emotional distress from past traumatic events remains unaddressed. Individuals may experience persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed. The constant state of hyperarousal, intrusive memories, and emotional numbness associated with PTSD can disrupt daily functioning, leading to withdrawal from social interactions and an increased risk of depression. Over time, the unresolved trauma can erode self-esteem, create a sense of helplessness, and contribute to chronic depressive symptoms, making it essential to seek appropriate support and guidance.
ILLNESS
Longstanding or life-threatening illnesses and injuries may also be a contributory factor and increase the risk of depression e.g., heart disease, cancer, and under or overactive thyroid issues. Head injuries can trigger mood swings, and can often be an under-recognized cause of depression. Occasionally the pituitary gland at the base of the brain responsible for producing thyroid-stimulating hormones can be damaged. This can cause a number of symptoms, e.g., extreme tiredness, fatigue, and a lowering of sex drive (loss of libido), and lead to depression.
GIVING BIRTH
Some women are particularly vulnerable to depression after pregnancy. Hormonal and physical changes, and increased responsibility, can lead to postnatal depression.
PERSONALITY
Certain personality traits, developed from life experiences may contribute to low self-esteem or being overly self-critical, can make you more vulnerable to depression.
FAMILY HISTORY
Inherited genes, from a parent or sister or brother who has experienced depression in the past, can make you more vulnerable to developing depression, but not always.
GRIEF & LOSS
A loss of a loved one can be difficult. However, where there are further consequences, more complicated or unresolved issues around the loss, bouts of depression can be triggered.
LACK OF MEANING & PURPOSE
Following major changes or challenge or lack of them, may cause a person to question the meaningfulness and purpose of their life triggering depression.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
- Lack or loss of motivation, energy, and interest in previously pleasurable activities, hobbies, sports, socializing, and sex
- Feeling hopeless, helpless, and lacking meaning and purpose in life
- Feeling anxious, worried, and finding it difficult to make decisions. (Please visit our anxiety treatment page for more information)
- Repeated low mood, sadness, or crying
- Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or sleeping too much
- Changes in appetite or weight, either loss or gain
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions
- Persistent feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or self-blame
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or chronic pain without a clear cause
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
COUNSELLING & THERAPY FOR MILD AND MODERATE DEPRESSION TREATMENT IN THAILAND
We will only offer counselling and therapy services for mild and moderate depression which can be accessed in person in Chiang Mai or online for anyone looking for help with depression in Bangkok or other areas of Thailand.
WE ADVISE THAT ANYONE SUFFERING WITH SYMPTOMS OF SEVERE DEPRESSION SHOULD CONTACT A QUALIFIED AND PRACTICING MEDICAL DOCTOR OR PSYCHIATRIST. These can be found in private clinics or local hospitals. They can conduct full psychological assessments, and followed up with prescribed medication if necessary. The two most well-known private hospitals in Chiang Mai for foreign visitors and residents are Chiang Mai Ram and Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai branch. Similar establishments in Bangkok include Bangkok Hospital and Bumrungrad International Hospital.
ANYONE WITH THOUGHTS OR ANY INTENTION TO HARM THEMSELVES OR COMMIT SUICIDE SHOULD EITHER CONTACT ONE OF THE SOURCES ABOVE OR LOCAL PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL. THE MOST WELL-KNOWN ONE IN CHIANG MAI IS Suanprung Hospital. and Manarom Hospital in Bangkok
WHAT KIND OF THERAPY CAN BE USED TO HELP WITH MILD AND MODERATE DEPRESSION?
Our Therapists in are not licensed medical professionals like those found in the hospitals mentioned above for treating severe depression, clinical depression or major depressive disorder as it is sometimes referred to as.
Most local counsellors or therapists in Chiang Mai or Bangkok can offer alternative or complementary forms of therapy to help clients who are experiencing mild or moderate depression with one or more of the symptoms mentioned above.:
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT): CBT is one of the most well-known approaches worldwide for people suffering from anxiety and mild to moderate depression. By engaging in the process of CBT, clients can identify problems, change thinking patterns, and face their fears. With increased confidence, they can learn and implement new coping strategies for unexpected challenges and difficult situations. Mild and moderate depression can include many negative feelings, emotions and behaviours, including isolation, loneliness, low mood, extreme sadness, constant worry, lack of purpose and meaning in life, and disconnection from others and self. Other forms or talk therapy can be found by visiting our Counselling and therapy services page.
HYPNOTHERAPY: Often combined with NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), hypnotherapy as a therapy tool uses both direct and indirect approaches to allow clients to engage in deeper processes using a different part of the brain in a relaxed trance-like state similar to that one would experience with CBT, Emotionally-focused therapy or person-centred therapy. As Einstein once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking we used when we created them.” Our hypnotherapy services in Chiang Mai follows this theory. By using the subconscious mind, hypnosis combined with CBT is far more effective than CBT on its own when it comes to working on deep rooted problems with extreme negative core beliefs. Many of our negative thoughts, experiences and learned behaviors originate and are stored deep within our subconscious minds and influence our conscious thoughts, behaviors, actions and reactions. Hypnosis allows clients to identify emotions, explore relevant (and some seemingly irrelevant) negative thoughts, and then reframe them by observing and experiencing them through a different lens. Hypnotherapy has been proven to be a very effective therapy and many of our clients have experienced very positive results for both depression and anxiety.
HUMANISTIC/PERSON-CENTERED COUNSELLING: Spending time exploring the origins and causes of depression can be helpful. From this, knowledge of triggers, negative associations, obstacles, challenges and goals can be identified. Then the inner resources can be explored, energized and developed, and further sources of support identified.
In addition to talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or counselling, the following are a few complementary therapies and suggestions that can have a positive impact on low mood and mild to moderate depression. The most popular common forms of alternative therapy we have found for depression treatment in Thailand include:
HOLISTIC TREATMENT AND MINDFULNESS: There are various kinds of holistic treatment including yoga therapy, meditation, Qi Gong and various singing bowel practices including Tibetan and Crystal. Many of our local clients attend various workshops and classes at Chiang Mai Holistic Wellness Centre and we would highly recommend their services to anyone.
MEDICATION: Medication has been proven to help with the physical and psychological symptoms of depression. However, our experience tells us that unless it is combined with a talking therapy or one of the alternative therapies discussed above, the root cause will not be addressed. Medication can be useful where appropriate. Such recommendations need to be made by a qualified medical doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist licensed by the Ministry of Public Health. Such medical professionals will only prescribe any medication after a full psychological assessment has been completed and they have advised their patients on both the benefits and possible side effects. Decisions then be made as to whether to try alternative therapies first, vice versa or a combination of both.
WE CANNOT GIVE ANY MEDICAL ADVICE OR RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO ANY ASPECT OF MEDICATION. WE RECOMMEND YOU CONTACT ONE OF THE CONTACTS ABOVE, OR A LICENSED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY WHO IS AWARE OF YOUR FULL MEDICAL HISTORY.
HOW CAN CHIANG MAI & BANGKOK THERAPY SERVICES HELP REDUCE DEPRESSION?
Often when seeking a therapist in Chiang Mai or counsellor in Bangkok for help with depression the enquirer will have some idea of the possible causes. In Chiang Mai, our therapy acknowledges the surface problem and supports the client to explore deeper beneath the surface. This may include: current and past relationships, living environment, work, uncertainty and many more. If identified, we can incorporate therapeutic interventions to addresses anxiety whilst working towards solutions to overcome depression, due to the correlation between the two.
Sometimes, those suffering from mild or moderate depression may avoid talking about their problems, suppressing their feelings and can lead to negative emotions affecting their mental and emotional well-being. Perhaps they tried talking about their feelings or problems with a partner, family member, or friend and felt unheard or dismissed. This may then have caused them to suppress things even further over weeks, months or even years.
Working with a therapist for depression help in Thailand allows clients to open up and feel heard by someone impartial. They will be nonjudgmental and very experienced in helping people through difficult and challenging experiences. The old saying “a problem shared is a problem halved” becomes even more effective when the person you are sharing your problem with is a qualified, skilled and professional therapist experienced in helping people with mild and moderate depression.
General therapy approaches mentioned earlier include:
More information about these approaches can be found on the relevant pages.
Learn More and Arrange a Free Initial Consultation
At Counselling Thailand, we understand the importance of finding the right counsellor for addressing your concerns and needs. That’s why we offer a free initial 15 minute consultation for individuals and 30 minutes for couples and families.
The next step for anyone seeking help is to complete our online client enquiry form. This will give a little extra information to help us select whom we believe the most suitable therapist would be and then we can email you a list of available appointment times for the free initial call.
During this consultation, we will discuss your specific situation and determine whether our approach aligns with your needs. We will also answer any questions you may have. If you decide to proceed with counselling, we can then schedule the first full session(s) at a mutually convenient time.
If you have any questions before booking the free initial call you can either visit our Frequently Asked Questions Page, or mention these whilst completing the online enquiry form.