We all feel sad or have changes in our mood at times. Depression is a mental health condition that can cause persistent changes to your mood. This may include sadness, anxiousness, hopelessness, fear or guilt. The catalyst of depression isn’t always easy to determine, but it can be the result of trauma, genetics, anxiety or pent up thoughts or emotions that haven’t been expressed or resolved. Depression is very common, 1 in 5 Australians experience this condition at least once in their life. With the right help, depression can be treated with many therapeutic methods with significant positive benefits for overall well being and combatting mood changes
For many of us, there is no single cause of depression, but it can be spurred on by an unexpected life event, trauma or negative experience. This may include the loss of a relationship, family related issues, grief or bereavement, or any stressful event that can cause an inability to cope. Depression can be treated, even the most severe cases, to which the earlier treatment begins the higher the chance of recurrence to be prevented.
Depression affects us in various ways. Some common symptoms of depression include:
- Overwhelming feeling of sadness
- Sudden and significant changes in mood
- Restlessness or anger even at trivial things
- Loss of self-confidence or worth
- The feeling of hopelessness and overwhelming disappointment
- Lack of sleep or insomnia
- Depressive states that are long lasting
- Lack of Sex drive
- Headaches or migraines
- Physical changes including weight gain or loss, loss of appetite