Managing depression: what are the symptoms and how can you get help?

Depression differs from everyday down periods of sadness, frustration and even lethargy as it is more intense, lasts longer (two weeks or more), and has significant impacts on day-to-day functioning.

Have you started to notice some changes in your mood, your behaviours, or your thought patterns over the last few weeks?

You might be experiencing feelings of emptiness, feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt, lack of enjoyment in life, lack of motivation, loss of energy, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, changes in appetite, weight loss or weight gain, abnormal sleep patterns or recurring thoughts of death.

Have these changes begun to interfere with

• Your work?
• Your school?
• Your social life?
• Your daily activities?

If this sounds a little too familiar, you are not alone. These symptoms are representative of what we call ‘depression’ or ‘major depression’ in clinical practice.

It is estimated that one out of four people have experienced a significantly depressed mood in their lifetime.

There are multiple factors that can trigger someone to experience symptoms of major depression and these can look different for each individual. The following are some common triggers:

• Loss of a loved one, a job, friendship or relationship, or support
• Sense of failure when not achieving your goals
• Thinking patterns, such as overstressing the negative, taking responsibility for bad events, or thinking that people are thinking badly of you.
• Accumulation of stressful life events
• A big change
• Relationship problems

Occasional grief, sadness and low mood is normal, but if it persists, reaching out for help is important.

You can seek support from your local GP where they can offer you a Mental Health Care Plan to see a psychologist.

A psychologist can help you explore your symptoms in more depth, work collaboratively with you to develop a treatment plan to manage and alleviate your symptoms, and support you on your road to recovery.

Seeing a psychologist is now normal and, for many, a necessity, like going to see your dentist or your GP for a check-up.

You do not need to wait until you are in crisis to speak to a psychologist. In fact, it is encouraged that you should speak with someone the second you notice symptoms occurring.

It’s completely okay to feel nervous when seeking psychological support. They will be there to talk you through the process. You can do this!

Seeking help and support is a good first step when it comes to managing your depression. Seeking help from a psychologist or talking to friends and family can help you feel listened to and less alone.