Depression
Depression is a common medical condition that can cause a low mood that doesn’t go away and can make us feel very sad or withdrawn. Depression interferes with the way we go about our everyday lives and can make it hard to cope. Everyone experiences depression differently, and it is important to get help.
Clinical depression is more than the occasional low mood. If you find yourself having intense, sad or depressed feelings for longer than two weeks, and they start to affect how you live your life, it is important to get help.
Some signs and symptoms of depression you might experience include feeling sad, teary, anxious or irritable, hopeless and negative about yourself and others, alone and isolated, exhausted or guilty. You might also experience changes in motivation, your ability to find enjoyment and pleasure in things, quality of sleep, appetite or weight, concentration and memory, or drinking or use of drugs.
There are a range of factors that can lead to depression, including:
- family history,
- your own brain chemistry,
- personality style,
- ageing,
- stressful or traumatic events,
- and long-term pressures such as abusive relationships, bullying and work stress.
Knowing about the causes and risk factors for depression can help you understand why depression occurs and how to deal with it. Remember that depression is not a sign of personal weakness, failure, or ‘all in the mind’.
There are a number of ways to treat and manage depression, including psychological, physical, self-help and alternative therapies. It may take time to work out what works best for you. Start by talking to your doctor, who can help you find the best ways to deal with how you’re feeling. Your doctor can listen to your concerns, talk to you about different types of treatment, prescribe antidepressant medication, and refer you to specially trained mental health professionals. If you are struggling to find a good doctor, you can try contacting general practices near you and ask if there are any doctors with a strong interest in mental health, and visit Beyond Blue’s national listing of health practitioners with an interest in treating depression.
