Depression

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Depression

Are you noticing that you often feel low in mood, lack energy and motivation or experience a loss of pleasure and interest when you do things you previously enjoyed? If so, these may be some indicators you are experiencing depression.   

Depression is a mental health condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. It’s a real condition, not something that can be cured by just “cheering up,” and it can often feel frustrating when people around us suggest this is the answer to how we are feeling.  Depression can impact every aspect of a person’s life, making it difficult to enjoy things they once loved, affecting their relationships, and interfering with their work or daily activities.  

What causes depression? 

There is no single cause for depression, and everybody is different. Some people experience episodes of depression after stressful life events or changes, others may have predisposing biological factors, or both. A difficult life event (such as bereavement, divorce, work stress) or other reasons for low mood may lead to certain coping mechanisms such as isolating yourself, or perhaps using food, substances, or alcohol to cope. Although understandable, these tend to have further negative impact on our mood, and the depressive cycle continues or is exacerbated.   

What help is available to me?

Because of how we feel when depressed, it can be incredibly difficult to initiate the process of seeking help. Often people feel ambivalent or hesitant to reach out, perhaps due to difficulties with motivation and hopelessness, but also possibly due to fear of the unknown around what to expect, or the responses of those around us.  

At Sage, we understand how hard it can be to take those initial steps, and we strive to offer help in the most supportive and confidential way. We also understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to depression, and we aim to help individuals manage their depression in a way that’s tailored to their needs and in a way that works best for them.  

We offer comprehensive assessments to understand the factors contributing to depressed mood and your experience of the associated symptoms. We then make recommendations for evidence-based treatment approaches collaboratively with you and work together on implementing this.   

There are a variety of treatment options for depression. Therapy, for example, can be incredibly helpful in managing depression. Our highly trained Psychologists use well-known evidence-based models, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychotherapy, that can help people identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to their depression. It’s like learning to speak a new language, except this language is all about how you think and feel.  

Medication management is another option that we offer. Our psychiatrists can work with you to consider the role of medication and address any questions or concerns you may have before prescribing if this is a good option for you.   

Who can benefit from it? 

Any individuals who are experiencing any of the following signs:

  • Continuous low mood or sadness.  
  • Feeling more irritable and/or more tearful than usual.  
  • You are finding it difficult to make decisions.  
  • You are noticing negative thoughts about yourself and/or others a lot of the time.  
  • Changes in your appetite, weight and/or sleep pattern.   
  • Unexplained aches and pains, a lack of energy, low sex drive or moving/speaking more slowly than usual.  
  • A lack of motivation and interest in things you usually would have enjoyed.  
  • You are avoiding contact with friends and loved ones, and maybe are having difficulties in your home or work life. 
  • If you are having difficulties focusing and concentrating on your day-to-day activities.   
  • You are having distressing thoughts of harming or punishing yourself, and thoughts that you cannot go on. 

So, if you or someone you know is experiencing depression, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. With the right treatment and support, it’s possible to manage depression and live a fulfilling life. You can contact us to book an appointment or to ask a little more about what to expect in the first instance if helpful. 

Tools

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 
    • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
    • Compassion Focused Therapy. 
    • Psychotherapy. 
    • Medication. 
    • Exercise and Lifestyle Modification. 
Ana Gomez Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Adolescent & Adults Specialist

Ana Gomez is a Spanish trained Clinical and Forensic Psychologist specialized in working with adolescent and adults with different mental health issues.

Dr Gurveen Ranger Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lead of Adult & Corporate Services

Dr Gurveen Ranger is a Clinical Psychologist from the UK and have over 10 years’ experience working in mental health across a variety of settings.

Dr Wafa Saoud Clinical Psychologist, Lead of Children and Adolescent Services

Dr Wafa Saoud is a Canadian Clinical Psychologist, specialized in the treatment of children, adolescents, and emerging adults.

Dr Teizeem Dhanji Medical Director, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Eating Disorders Specialist

I am UK trained Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, with specialist experience in eating disorders...

Dr Bisi Laniyan Clinical Psychologist, Adult Specialist

Dr Bisi Laniyan is a UK trained Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience in the mental health and wellbeing sector.

Dr Victoria Mountford Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Psychology Lead and Eating Disorder Service Lead

I am a Clinical Psychologist from the UK with over 20 years of experience...

Hiba Salem Psychologist, Adult, Families, Psycho-Oncology & Palliative Psychology Specialist

Hiba Salem specializes in providing comprehensive mental health services to individuals, couples, and families.

Dr Romena Toki Clinical Psychologist, Child, Adolescent & Adult Specialist

Dr Romen Toki had the privilege of working with children and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds in the UK and now in the UAE.

Everyone deserves Our special care

Mo's Journey

Mo, a 30-year-old software engineer, sought treatment at Sage Clinic for his persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of motivation. Mo had been struggling with depressed mood for several months, finding it increasingly difficult to enjoy activities he once loved and to maintain his usual level of productivity at work.

Upon his initial assessment at Sage Clinic, Mo was assigned to work with a licensed therapist specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Together, they explored Mo's experiences, symptoms, and goals for treatment. Mo expressed his desire to understand and manage his depression, improve his mood, and regain a sense of purpose in his life.

Mo and his therapist began their work using a CBT model, which focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to depression. Through guided discussions and exercises, Mo learned to recognize and reframe his distorted thinking, such as negative self-talk.

Throughout his sessions, Mo and his therapist collaboratively worked on setting realistic goals and developing an action plan to gradually increase his engagement in pleasurable activities and social interactions. Mo identified activities that brought him joy and a sense of accomplishment, such as spending time outdoors, playing music, and connecting with friends.

As Mo continued with his CBT sessions, he began to notice gradual improvements in his mood and functioning. He felt more empowered to challenge his negative thoughts and take proactive steps to address his depression. Mo also developed a greater sense of self-awareness and resilience, learning to recognize early warning signs of depression and implement coping strategies to prevent relapse.

FAQ's

What treatments are available for depression?

How long will therapy take?

Will I need medication for depression?

I am still not sure if I need to see someone about my mood. Can you advise me?

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How it works

We know it’s likely to have been a struggle to get this far, but we are with you every step of the way. Our process is simple – we work with you to develop a unique plan and provide the a level of support according to your needs, whilst ensuring measurable and sustainable outcomes.

Appointment

Book an appointment by calling us on +971 4 575 5684 (or you can book online) and tell us what you are having difficulty with.

Consultation

We offer availability with highly experienced therapists suited to your needs and book the appointment for you.

Therapy

Meet the practitioner and begin the road to self-improvement. Have any concerns? Let us know so we can assist.

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your mental health

Our goal is to support individuals, couples, families and groups experiencing challenges with mental, behavioral or emotional wellbeing to overcome these challenges, learn new skills, and thrive at life.