Understanding Depression: Recognising Symptoms and Their Daily Impact
Depression manifests through various symptoms, including persistent sadness, fatigue, and loss of interest in things once enjoyed. These challenges can significantly disrupt daily activities, affecting relationships, work, and overall quality of life.
Psychology services can greatly support with breaking down the things that contributed to the depression, and making a plan together to lessen and resolve the depressed feelings.
Depression Facts & Therapy Support
Answers to common questions about depression and psychological support
People with depression may feel; sad or teary, overwhelmed, guilty, restless or angry, lacking in confidence, hopeless or disappointed. People with depression may have recurring negative thoughts, such as; I’m no good.', It’s all my fault., 'Life’s not worth living., 'People would be better off without me.' People with depression may also have altered behaviours, such as; not taking part in activities and hobbies they used to enjoy, staying in, rather than going out socially, being less productive at school or work, drinking more alcohol, losing interest in sex.
People with depression may also experience these physical symptoms; sleep problems, difficulty sleeping and/or feeling tired during the day, changed appetite with or without weight loss or gain, feeling run down or sick, headaches, muscle pain, churning stomach.
Depression is a serious condition that affects 1 in 7 Australians. It is important to seek support if you recognise that yourself or someone is experiencing signs of depression, especially if it is impacting their ability to engage well in life.
Depression can be hereditary, and some individuals may have a higher genetic predisposition to it. However, having a parent or close relative with depression doesn’t guarantee you will have the same struggle. Life circumstances and personal factors are still significant influencers. For instance, certain personality traits may increase vulnerability to depression. Risk factors can include a tendency to overthink, low self-esteem, perfectionism, sensitivity to criticism, self-doubt, and negative thinking.
The stress and anxiety of managing a serious illness can also contribute to depression, particularly if it is chronic or involves chronic pain. Substance abuse, including drugs and alcohol, can play a role in depression, with many individuals facing both depression and substance use issues simultaneously. Over 500,000 Australians are projected to experience both depression and a substance use disorder at some point in their lives.
Studies indicate that ongoing challenges are more likely to lead to depression than recent life events. These challenges can encompass long-term unemployment, being in an abusive or unsupportive relationship, extended periods of isolation or loneliness, and chronic work-related stress or burnout. Recent occurrences, such as job loss, or a combination of events may ‘trigger’ depression, especially if one is already predisposed due to past negative experiences or personal factors.
Extensive research has explored this intricate field, yet much remains unknown. Depression is not merely a result of a 'chemical imbalance' stemming from excess or deficiency of a specific brain chemical. Various factors can influence how your brain manages your moods, including genetic predisposition, significant life stressors, certain medications, substance use, and underlying medical conditions.
In the treatment of depression, it is often important to identify and understand what type of depression a person is experiencing, as this informs the specific therapy plan needed to alleviate and ultimately resolve the presenting issue.
Bipolar disorder is marked by significant mood swings that interfere with everyday life. Manic episode symptoms include heightened energy in speech and activity, restlessness, decreased sleep requirements, and difficulty concentrating. The symptoms of depressive episodes closely resemble those of major depression. Individuals with bipolar disorder may also have episodes of psychosis, which can involve hallucinations, delusions, and/or paranoia.
The most commonly recognised symptom is a persistent low mood and a diminished interest in activities that you once found enjoyable. These symptoms can range from mild to severe but typically disrupt your everyday life and relationships. The low mood lasts for at least two weeks and is felt on most days. Major depression has various sub-types, including melancholic depression, which is a severe type that involves both physical and emotional symptoms; psychotic depression, characterised by hallucinations (perceiving things that aren't present) and delusions (holding false beliefs that others do not share); and paranoia (feeling distrustful of others or believing that everyone is against them).
Persistent depressive disorder, also referred to as Dysthymia, is a long-lasting form of depression. It is characterised by a consistent low mood lasting two years or more. Due to its chronic nature and lack of acute severity, individuals may perceive their symptoms as an unavoidable part of their personality, leading them to avoid seeking help. As a result, this disorder can remain unnoticed and undiagnosed, preventing access to necessary treatment.
Despite being categorised as mild, this condition can profoundly affect the life of an individual. Feelings of low self-esteem, hopelessness, and inadequacy associated with persistent depressive disorder can negatively influence academic performance, professional life, and personal relationships.
This disorder can affect adults, teenagers, and children, with a higher prevalence among females. It can also appear alongside other mental health disorders. Some individuals with persistent depressive disorder may occasionally experience major depressive episodes, a situation referred to as double depression.
Without intervention, there is a risk of developing additional complications, including other mental health issues such as major depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, family strife, decreased quality of life, and even suicidal thoughts.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder characterised by a seasonal pattern, which can manifest as either depression or mania. Symptoms of depression typically emerge in winter and diminish by spring. It may take several years of winter seasons to accurately diagnose this form of depression.
SAD is believed to be influenced by variations in light exposure during the winter months and is more prevalent in regions with shorter days and extended darkness, particularly in colder climates of the Northern Hemisphere. In contrast, SAD is quite uncommon in Australia, but has noted to impact around 1 in 300 people in Australia.
Perinatal and postnatal depression can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth, impacting nearly 1 in 5 women in Australia. This condition is associated with the demands and responsibilities of becoming a parent, as well as hormonal fluctuations.
Men can also experience depression as they adapt to new routines and roles. While fatigue and irritability are common during pregnancy and after giving birth, it’s important to reach out to your GP or community health nurse if you or your partner have a persistent low mood lasting over two weeks, as it could be a sign of perinatal depression.PMDD is a serious condition that causes severe emotional and psychological distress in the lead-up to your period. PMDD is more than bad premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMDD symptoms start one to two weeks before your period. Symptoms usually settle after your period starts.
Emotional symptoms can include; extreme or sudden mood changes, such as sadness, feeling teary or increased, sensitivity to rejection, increased irritability, anger or conflict with other people, deeling depressed, hopeless, worthless or guilty, feeling tense, anxious or ‘on edge’, feeling overwhelmed or out of control, reduced interest in usual activities such as work, school, friends or hobbies, trouble concentrating.
Physical symptoms can include; tiredness or low energy, change in appetite, such as overeating or craving specific foods, trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia), sore or swollen breasts, joint or muscle pain, bloating, weight gain.Psychological therapy addresses the root causes of depression using proven, evidence-based therapeutic techniques. The goal of the service is to provide you with coping strategies and improve your emotional health. Treatment also emphasises supporting and building emotional resilience while promoting lasting mental health practices.
Psychology can help you rediscover your inner strength through targeted therapeutic techniques and compassionate guidance, all aimed at empowering individuals to develop practical skills for managing emotional challenges and facilitating meaningful life changes.
The Therapeutic Techniques
Overcoming depression involves a journey of resilience and self-discovery. Using evidence based therapies, our approach focuses on building emotional resilience and creating sustainable mental health strategies.
Cognitive Restructuring
By using the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), you can begin to:
- Identify and challenge negative thought patterns;
- Develop more balanced and realistic ways of thinking;
- Feel more in control of your emotions;
- Become more resilient to life's challenges.
Behavioural Activation
One way to combat depression is by increasing your activity level, especially through enjoyable activities. Engaging in fun and meaningful endeavours while managing your tasks and responsibilities realistically prepares you for success.
This technique is supported by evidence and has shown considerable effectiveness in breaking the cycle of depression by shifting attention towards greater participation in meaningful activities.
Behavioural activation provides clients with more frequent positive experiences, an enhanced sense of competence and self-efficacy, while reducing the avoidance behaviours that sustain depression.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
This structured evidence-based therapy explores how relationship difficulties could be contributing to feeling depressed. This modality aim is to assist in developing strategies to communicate more effectively, manage stress, and build a stronger social support network.
