What Is Depression?

Depression is serious mental health problem that negatively affects your feelings, your thoughts, and your behaviour. The most common sign of depression are feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in once enjoyed activities. Depression can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can usually has a negative impact on a person’s ability to cope at work and at home. Depression is a common mental health problem and can present itself in a mild, persistent low mood, or a severe and debilitating mental illness.

Statistically, depression affects an one in 15 adults in any given year. One in six people will develop depression at some time in their life. Depression can symptoms of depression at any time, but it is most common to first appear during the late teens to mid-20s. Women are more likely than men to experience depression.

Symptoms of depression

The symptoms of depression can vary from mild to severe and can include:

1. Low mood (feeling sad, or empty), or feeling irritable most of the day, nearly every day.

2. Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities (including those previously enjoyed), most of each day.

3. Increase in purposeless physical activity, for example hand-wringing or pacing.

4. Slowed movements and speech, as observed by others.

5. Significant changes in weight change (5%) , and/or change in appetite.

6. Change in sleep pattern. Insomnia or oversleeping.

7. Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued.

8. Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt and/or worthlessness.

9. Indecisiveness or diminished ability to think or concentrate.

10. Thoughts of death or suicide. With or without planning.

Is Depression Different From Sadness, Bereavement and Grieving?

Being sad is not the same as having depression. Certain life circumstances, such as, the death of a loved one, the ending of a relationship, or the loss of a job are difficult experiences for a person to cope with. It is a normal reaction when such situations are accompanied by feeling of sadness or grief. It is important that people allow themselves to experience a period of grief and sadness having lost something or someone important in their lives. Such grieving process is natural even though it shares some of the same features with depression:

• In grief, painful feelings come and go, and often positive memories related to the subject of loss are present. In depression low mood and negative thoughts can be maintained for weeks.
• Those who are grieving are usually capable of maintaining their self-esteem. One of the most common symptoms of depression are feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing.
• Usually, after a period of grieving a person begins to slowly feel better. Sometimes, however,  a long period of grieving resulting from a death of a loved one, being a victim of a physical assault or a major disaster can bring on depression.

Despite some overlapping features between grief and depression, they are different; one is a healthy response, and the other one is a persistent mental health problem. Distinguishing which one the person suffers from can help them to get the help, support or treatment they need.

What Are The Risk Factors In Depression?

• Genetics: Depression can run in families. When parents or grandparents suffered from depression the person is more likely to develop it. Another example is that of identical twin.  Studies show that if one twin has depression, the other has a 70 percent chance of having the illness sometime in life.
• Personality: Sensitive people, or those who are easily overwhelmed by stress are more likely to develop depression. This is also the case with people struggling with low self-esteem, or those who hold a pessimistic view on life and/or other matters.
• Environmental factors: People who are continuously exposed to violence, poverty, abuse or neglect may make some people more vulnerable to depression.

How Is Depression Treated?

In cases of the most severe depression (sometimes referred to as clinical depression), a hospitalisation and medications are usually necessary. However, in the most cases psychotherapy can successfully alleviate the persons suffering. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been found to be an effective tool in combatting depression. CBT is a form of therapy focused on the present and problem solving. The therapist identifies the patterns of thoughts and behaviour contributing to depression, helps a person to change these distorted thinking, and behavioural patterns. Depending on what triggered depression, for instance, if it was triggered by a childhood trauma, a more general psychotherapy may be utilised.

Psychotherapy may also involve others. For example, couples therapy can help address issues within close relationships. Group therapy is sometimes indicated. This typically involves people suffering from depression sharing their experiences and discussing different ways of coping.

The length of the therapy process depends on the severity of the depression. The treatment can take a few weeks or much longer. In most cases however, significant improvement can be achieved in 10 to 15 sessions.

How Can I Help Myself?

Those who suffer from depression, apart from therapy, can help themselves to reduce symptoms. This can typically be done by engaging in regular exercise, which usually improves mood. Among other things are maintaining a good sleeping pattern, good eating habits, and avoiding alcohol consumption.

Depression is a real mental health problem. When recognised early it can be successfully addressed and overcome in treatment.  If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, and if you consider therapy, please fill in the confidential contact form and we will contact you shortly. You can also email, or call us to discuss treatmens options. We will talk about your concerns to evaluate how to best help you. This will be a start to addressing your mental health needs.