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What is Depression?
In Australia, Depression is most commonly described as a feeling of sadness and people often refer to this medical condition as a ‘mood disorder’. People who are depressed experience an extended period of sadness or a negative mood, rather than a brief reaction of sadness to a stressful or difficult situation. In a depressed state, the brain and body do not function as well as they do in a non-depressed state.
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions. In 2012, approximately 2.1 million people, almost 10% of the Australian population, were reported to be living with depression and missed several important life events with their family and friends.
Educating yourself about depression and other mental health conditions is necessary to understand family and friends as well as other people with depression.
What are the symptoms?
Depression can be categorised into three states depending on the number and severity of symptoms. The mild condition consists of temporary bouts of sadness and other symptoms such as anger and hopefulness that do not last for a long time. The moderate manifests through reoccurring instances of sadness and worthlessness that heightens your insecurities. Severe Depression or Clinical Depression, also sometimes known as Major Depression or Major Depressive Disorder includes all symptoms of Mild and Moderate Depression, together with delusions, hallucinations and thoughts of suicide. People suffering from Clinical Depression most often find it hard to concentrate and think rationally.
Generally, here are the signs and symptoms of most types of depression:
- Sad or irritable mood
- Loss of interest in pleasurable activities, including those that were once pleasurable
- Unplanned weight loss
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Drug and alcohol dependency
- Reduced energy
- Feelings of guilt
- Poor concentration
- Indecisiveness
- Recurrent thoughts of death and suicide
As a result of these symptoms, people with depression find it difficult to undertake their usual activities of daily living.
What causes Depression?
Many different factors can contribute to developing depression, instead of one single cause. A stressful and challenging circumstances such as the loss of a loved one, failure in school or work, social pressures, changes in lifestyle and experiencing familial and financial problems can trigger this mental health condition. Other causes also include the following:
- Personality and genetic vulnerabilities
- Childhood experiences and trauma
- Biochemistry
- Poor lifestyle choices such as alcohol, drugs or poor nutrition
- Postnatal period
- Separation anxiety
- Other mental health conditions
How is depression treated?
People who are depressed show an imbalance in their biochemistry or a deficiency of neurotransmitters in their brain that contribute to feeling ‘happy’ emotions. This is why medication can be a useful method of treatment. Talking therapies such as counselling have been evidenced as the most successful treatment of depression.
It is really important that the person experiencing depression seeks help to address the contributing factors, by making healthy lifestyle changes and speaking to a health professional, such as a GP, about their feelings. Health professionals will be able to comprehensively assess your individual situation and make key recommendations for treatment options.
The recovery rates for depression are very positive and effective treatment is available.
How do I find out more?
It is important to ask your doctor about any concerns you have. SANE Australia also produces a range of easy-to-read publications and multimedia resources on mental health challenges.
