Our moods have natural rhythms and run in parallel to the levels of stress versus levels of happiness in our lives. At times we can feel extremely low in mood or literally elated, as though we’re walking on air. This is nicely illustrated on the subject of your Window of Tolerance, which you can find out more about here.

Severe depression is associated with a risk of suicide, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. It’s therefore important to treat this early; and it’s never too late to make small changes in your life that could make a big difference and lift your spirits.

Rate your sense of achievement, closeness with others and enjoyment (ACE) with each activity you do. Our team can offer you Behavioural Activation, a behavioural treatment for depression to reduce your avoidance of positive activities that could help you feel better.

For example, if you were feeling depressed and wrote down all your activity for a week to discover you hadn’t got out of bed much, “staying in bed” could be linked to your low mood.

Rating your feelings when you’re doing other basic activities, like going the shops, could show your mood slightly lifts just going for a walk. Fill in your activity diary with your mood ratings and send it to us to discuss your in your first consultation.