Alan is running a series of posts on his facebook page facebook on issues that may be affecting you or someone you care about. To follow Alan on Facebook go to www.facebook.com/ANCounselling

What is Depression?

POSTED 14TH APRIL 2026

Depression is characterised by persistent low mood, sadness, or a loss of interest in activities for a minimum of two weeks. It negatively affects feelings, thoughts, and behaviours, often leading to emotional and physical problems that interfere with daily life.

Depression is more than just feeling sad or having a rough few days, it's a real, recognised medical condition that affects how you think, feel, and function in your daily life and it can make the simplest things feel incredibly difficult to achieve.

When someone is experiencing depression, they may experience one or more of the following symptoms: -

• They may notice a persistent low mood that just doesn’t seem to go away.
• Things they used to enjoy are no longer enjoyable and things stop feeling good.
• Hobbies, relationships, even food or music can feel meaningless.
• They may have a sense of worthlessness or guilt that feels very real even when it isn't grounded in fact.
• They may have difficulty concentrating or making even small decisions.
• Some people sleep too much while others can't sleep at all.
• Some lose their appetite entirely, yet others eat to fill the emptiness.
• Some feel agitated and restless, others feel like they're moving through what has been described as a thick fog.

As you can see from the examples I have described, depression manifests itself differently in different people and the symptoms outlined are just a few of the more common ones. One common thread that tends to manifest itself in everyone, is that it takes something from you.

One of the cruellest parts of depression is that you often feel it's your fault. That you're weak, or broken, or that you should just be able to snap out of it. These things aren't true, but when you're in the middle of it, thoughts like these can feel very real.

How Can I Help?

My role, as with all good therapists, is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can begin to unwrap and understand what's happening to you, then together work through your difficulties at a pace that feels manageable by you.

We might explore what's been going on in your life, when things started to change, and what might be keeping you trapped feeling this way.

Sometimes depression has a clear trigger like a loss or a relationship breakdown, other times it is more gradual without an obvious reason, which can feel even more disorienting because you're just not expecting it.

Together, we can start to gently challenge thoughts and beliefs such as a self-critical voice that always seems to bring you down, feelings of hopelessness and that things will never change or patterns that might be keeping you stuck, such as withdrawing from people or activities you used to enjoy, as doing these things can make depression worse even though it feels like it is your only option.

We can also work on the small, practical things such as finding ways to bring structure or meaning back into your days, even when your motivation to do so feels completely out of reach.

Sometimes shame is part of what you're struggling with, we can work on that too. Learning to treat yourself with a bit more of the kindness you'd probably offer someone else in your situation is easily said but not so easily done when you are in the depths of depression, a good therapists can help you change that.

You don't need to already have it figured to talk to a therapist. You don't need to know what's wrong or know why you feel the way you do, you just need to show up, and work it out together.

Remember, depression is treatable. People do come through it and often come through it with a much deeper understanding of themselves. I'm not going to promise it's a quick fix, because it rarely is, but depression is not a burden you have to carry alone or forever.

Iif you would like help or further information about tackling depression or any other issue that may be bothering you, please feel free to call me for an informal chat.

Alan is a BACP accredited therapist with over twenty years’ experience in counselling and psychotherapy and is here to help. To request a consultation, or ask a question, telephone or e-mail the following;

Mob: 07841 574 357
Email: alan@alanneeldcounselling.com

Anxiety

Do We Need to Suffer?.... NO!

POSTED 10TH FEBRUARY 2021

Anxiety is a huge problem in society today spreading though the population like wildfire, yet it doesn’t need to be that way. No one likes being anxious, it’s a horrible feeling that can shape our lives and, in some cases, send us spinning out of control. In an attempt to keep anxiety at bay and to be able to cope and function on a daily basis we tend avoid the things that make us feel anxious in the first place. This method of coping may help initially, but in the end anxiety always seems to be there controlling our life and how we live it.

Don’t despair, with the correct tools and the right training anyone can learn to manage their worst anxieties and ultimately remove them from their life. Before we look at what can be done about it, let's take a look at what anxiety really is.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a completely natural human emotion and is the body's way of responding to danger. At the outset of an anxiety attack, chemicals are released from the adrenal gland into the body preparing us for fight or flight. It is really important for those people who suffer with Anxiety to realise that this chemical reaction within our bodies happens irrespective if the danger is real, or is just perceived. It is this "perceived" danger as that creates most cases of anxiety in society today.

Anxiety is the Body's Alarm and Survival Mechanism

It is said that primitive man would probably not have survived very long without this life-saving and completely natural response. Actually, it works so well, that on occasions we can think we are in danger, so our system says run or fight and the response has been triggered when it is not really needed.

We can all feel anxious on occasions, in fact a certain amount of anxiety can be a positive thing in that it helps us to be more alert and focused. For example, just prior to an exam a few exam nerves can have a positive effect, motivating us and helping us to focus our thoughts on the job in hand. However, too much anxiety, anxiety kicking in at the wrong time, or constantly being anxious, is unhealthy and may be detrimental to our health, lives and relationships.

Anxiety affects different people in different ways and whilst a particular issue may cause stress and anxiety to one person, that same issue may be simply brushed off by another person. Knowing this is in itself supportive because we can see that anxiety doesn’t necessarily have to affect us.

Understanding the causes, then learning coping mechanisms to be able to eliminate anxiety from your life, is just a matter of training, and it can often be done in just a few weeks.

In recent months COVID19, a modern and ongoing phenomenon, has created new anxieties in many of us or has exacerbated pre-existing issues for those already experiencing anxiety.

Whether your anxiety is related to COVID19 or other issues, if it is impacting negatively on your personal wellbeing, it can be addressed and eliminated. By working in partnership with a qualified counsellor/therapist, everyone has the ability to eradicate chronic or controlling anxieties from their lives altogether and I have seen this happen successfully time and time again, dramatically improving quality of life for each person.

I will be continuing this conversation so please "like or share" this post to see the next instalment. Also, if you would like help or further information about tackling anxiety or any other issue that may be bothering you, please feel free to call me for an informal chat.

Alan is a BACP accredited therapist with over twenty years’ experience in counselling and psychotherapy and is here to help. To request a consultation, or ask a question either Facebook message, telephone or e-mail the following;

Mob: 07841 574 357
Email: alan@alanneeldcounselling.com

Some of the more common issues Alan works with are:-

Stress
Depression
Anxiety
Self Esteem
Bereavement
Relationship Issues

Alan also works with many other issues such as self harm, grief and bereavement, anger issues, abuse and sexual problems.

Please contact Alan if you have any questions or to book an appointment.