Depression

1. What is Depression?

In the past, people believed that depression was merely an emotional state that made people sad. These days, however, depression is recognised as a medical condition that affects about 20% of Australians at some time in their lives.

Depression is defined as a period of extremely bad feeling that continues on a daily basis for at least two weeks. Scientists have discovered a link between the chemical changes in your brain and this 'state of mind', which makes it a treatable condition.

2. What causes Depression?

Every case of depression is unique.

No one thing causes depression - most often, it's caused by many different factors. There is also no clear answer that explains why one person becomes depressed, while another may not. In some cases, it can happen for no obvious reason, while at other times it may be triggered by a specific or stressful event.

3. Could I have Depression?

You may notice a number of changes in your mood and your lifestyle which could indicate you have depression, including:

• Loss of interest in things you used to find pleasurable
• Decreased energy
• A depressed mood that lasts most of the day, nearly every day
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue
• Significant changes to your appetite, affecting your weight
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

4. Can Depression be treated?

There are many options for the overall management of depression, these include relaxation techniques, exercise, alternative herbal medicines, and prescription medicines. These are called antidepressants and work by correcting the chemical imbalance in your brain.

Antidepressants can take some time to work, but there are things you can do in the meantime to help make you feel better.

• Set realistic goals and try to do as much of your usual routine as possible.
• See a counsellor, so you can talk to a professional about the bad feelings you have been experiencing.
• Let your friends, family and colleagues know that you'll be feeling better soon and ask them to be patient. You should also seek support from them.
• Take a short walk during the day - though it may be hard at first, walking is one way to show yourself you can still function.
• Keep reminding yourself that your problem is temporary, before you go to sleep and when you wake up in the morning.
• If you have any questions at any stage, see your doctor.

For more information, visit www.depressionadvice.com.au