Depression affects different people in many different ways. It can be a numbness or emptiness where you don’t feel happy; you may feel sad, or angry.
Sometimes depression can feel like irritation or frustration. Small issues suddenly feel big. Sometimes you might lose enjoyment in things that would normally make you happy. You might feel like there’s nothing to look forward to.
If any of these examples feel familiar, or if you just don’t feel okay, it’s worth talking to someone. Depression is treatable with the right support.
Behaviour – Depression can look like:
- not going out anymore
- not getting things done at work or school
- withdrawing from close family and friends
- relying on alcohol and sedatives
- not doing usual enjoyable activities
- unable to concentrate
Feelings – Depression can make you feel:
- overwhelmed or indecisive
- guilty
- irritable or frustrated
- lacking in confidence
- unhappy or disappointed
- miserable or sad
Thoughts – When you have depression, you might think:
- ‘I’m a failure.’
- ‘It’s my fault.’
- ‘Nothing good ever happens to me.’
- ‘I’m worthless.’
- ‘Life’s not worth living.’
- ‘People would be better off without me.’
Suicidal Thoughts – Sometimes people who are experiencing depression may also experience suicidal thoughts. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call or visit Life Line immediately on:
Ph: 13 11 14
Visit: https://www.lifeline.org.au/131114/
Physical Symptoms – Physical symptoms of depression can include:
- feeling tired all the time
- feeling sick and run down
- headaches and muscle pains
- stomach pain, butterflies or churning gut
- sleep problems
- loss or change of appetite
- significant weight loss or gain
Some psychological interventions that can help with depression:
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Animal-assisted therapy (for people in nursing homes or hospitals)
- Art therapy
- Behaviour therapy (BT)
- Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
- Computer-assisted therapies (professionally-guided)
- Dance and movement therapy (DMT)
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Faith-based psychotherapy (for people with relevant religious or spiritual beliefs)
- Hypnosis (hypnotherapy)
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
- Metacognitive therapy (MCT)
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
- Music therapy
- Problem solving therapy (PST)
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- For short-term psychodynamic therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Relationship therapy
- Reminiscence therapy (for older adults)
- Supportive counselling
Information in this article provided by https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
