Depression
Why seek help for depression?
Depression is a mental health illness that can effect people in different ways. It is normal to feel down once in a while, but if you are low most days, then you may have depression.
Feeling depressed is not a sign of weakness. If left untreated, it can develop into a serious mental health problem. Fortunately, it is also treatable. There’s no need to suffer with depression - proven treatment exists and your mood can improve with medicine, psychological therapy, and simple changes to your lifestyle.
Depression can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can impact a person’s ability to function at work and at home. It is understood that events in life can cause symptoms of depression, and others may experience a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Types of depression:
There are many different types of depression, and while there are many similarities that have their own distinctive set of symptoms:
- Major Depression: A common type of depression
- Persistent depressive disorder: Is a continuous long-term (chronic) form of depression
- Postnatal Depression: Sadness after having a baby
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Usually develops in the dark winter months
- Atypical Depression: A misunderstood type of depression
- Psychotic Depression: Losing touch with reality
- Bipolar Disorder: From high to low (and back to high again)
- Situational Depression: When life gets you down
Symptoms of depression:
The symptoms persist for weeks or months and are bad enough to interfere with your work, social life and family life.
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling sad or low most days
- Irritability and frustration
- Sensitivity to criticism
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities and hobbies you once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite
- Reduced sex drive or intimacy
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Thoughts of self harm, death or suicide
Risk factors for depression:
Depression can affect anyone and many factors can contribute to depression:
- Biochemistry: Imbalance of chemicals in the brain.
- Environmental factors: Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse or deprivation may trigger vulnerability to depression.
- Genetics: Depression can run in families, twin, and adoption studies.
- Personality: People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, appear to be more likely to experience depression.
Treatment options for depression:
- Eye Movement desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for prolonged stress that may be causing depression, such as alcohol, addictions, bereavement and trauma.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.
- Medication: Brain chemistry may contribute to an individual’s depression and may factor into their treatment. For this reason, antidepressants might be prescribed to help modify one’s brain chemistry.