What is Depression?

While it is normal for people to experience ups and downs during their lives, those who suffer from depression experience specific symptoms daily for two weeks or more, making it difficult to function at work, at school or in relationships.  The spectrum of depression can be wide from general daily low mood to severe swings in highs and lows.

Depression can also be a complicating factor in recovery.  Many people experience depression when they begin treatment and it can often lead to relapse.  We believe that our extended care programme allows us to help clients through this initial phase of depression into a more balanced mood state.

Symptoms of depression include:

• Losing hope in a happy future
• A feeling that life is not worth living
• Feelings of anxiety
• Loss of appetite
• Drug use or “self” medication
• Feelings of sadness and melancholy
• Feelings of exhaustion
• Feeling like a burden to others
• Losing interest in sex
• Isolating yourself from other people

Do I have a problem with depression?

Tabankulu Programme for Depression

At Tabankulu we address the issue of depression with nearly every client that we treat because most describe being depressed at some level. Clients learn about what depression actually is and how it could play a part in their own lives.  Depression often coexists with other diagnoses, such as chemical dependency and is almost always present when the client is no longer dependent on a compulsive behavior or substance.   Often times it is the depression that has lead to the chemical dependency in the first place and so the treatment emphasis is on group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, life coping skills and medications if recommended.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:

• Structured exercises and skills that an individual can draw upon when in the midst of a depressive episode

Peer Support:

• Clients learn that isolating in depression actually makes it worse.  Interactions with peers encourage healthy connections and support through difficult times.

Medical Intervention:

• Tabankulu does not believe in over medicating its clients but we do follow the advice of a psychiatrist in helping mood disorders.

Meaningful Therapeutic Experience:

• The main component of Tabankulu treatment is daily group therapy.  Group therapy is a powerful tool to help clients break free from their denial and shame and begin to make connections and relationships that challenge their distorted thinking and destructive behavior in a safe and supporting way.
• A Primary Counsellor specializing in depression will work on an individual basis with the client throughout the course of his or her treatment.

Education:

• Activities and exercises that stimulate understanding and learning about depression and its consequences
• Educational groups to think about new skills and the development of emotion tolerance

Healthy Lifestyle:

• Individual advice around incorporating healthy exercise into the client’s lifestyle
• Integrative therapies and activities that include art therapy, organic gardening, mindfulness meditation, yoga, Qi Gong, surfing, and caring for the horses on the property.  Clients have a chance to start truly living and enjoying life again within the beautiful and spiritual surroundings of the Cape Peninsula.