Depression

Depression: What is it?

What is depression? A simple, visual info graphic illustrating the common signs and symptoms.

 

Could I be suffering from depression?

Signs and Symptoms

Depression is a serious, debilitating and often functionally impairing illness.

Beyondblue [1] states a person may be considered ‘depressed’ if “for more than two weeks, he or she has felt sad, down or miserable most of the time or has lost interest or pleasure in usual activities, and has also experienced several of the signs and symptoms across at least three of the categories; Behavioural, Feelings, Thoughts, Physical.” [1]

It is completely normal to feel some of these symptoms or experience ‘low moods’ from time to time; distress, fatigue, unhappiness, discontent and sadness are all totally normal and integral parts of life and the living experience.

What is not normal is the persistence of a low, flat, unmotivated and dejected mood for longer than two weeks.

Also note, that a depressed person does not need to experience all of the outlined signs and symptoms below either.

Symptoms can be classified into the categories below:

BEHAVIOURAL

• not going out anymore
• social isolation
• unusual procrastination and lack of motivation or drive
• agitation and annoyance
• disinterest in usually undertaken activities
• not getting things done at work/school
• withdrawing from close family and friends
• relying on alcohol and sedatives
• not doing usual enjoyable activities
• unable to concentrate

FEELINGS

• overwhelmed
• guilty
• irritable
• frustrated
• lacking in confidence
• unhappy
• indecisive
• disappointed
• miserable
• sad

THOUGHTS

• ‘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.’

PHYSICAL

• tired all the time
• sick and run down
• headaches and muscle pains
• churning gut
• sleep problems
• loss or change of appetite
• significant weight loss or gain

 

Think you or someone may have depression? You can try a quick, easy and confidential checklist provided by the Beyondblue website that returns a brief, estimation of your current mental health status/risk.

Anxiety and depression checklist (K10)

 

Myths and Misconceptions

….What depression is NOT

MYTH: Depression is a weakness of character
FACT: Depression is NOT a flaw or fault in someone’s personality, it does NOT indicate that they are weak. (Would you think someone who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease, a broken bone, Asthma, Diabetes, Heart Disease or Osteoporosis as ‘weak’? Depression is just as debilitating and disabling as any other physically tangible illness!)

MYTH: Can’t you just ‘think’ yourself out of it? It’s just a way of thinking!
FACT: Can you “think” your way out of diabetes? Can you “snap out of” Parkinson’s Disease?  These seem like silly, almost ignorant questions right? Depression is an illness, and the individual needs help to overcome his/her illness, just like someone with an infection would take antibiotics to get better.

MYTH: Depression is rare, it will not happen to me- I’m not the ‘type’ to get it.
FACT: Depression can happen to ANYONE. It does not discriminate between race, gender, age, culture or socio-economic status. In fact, it occurs in more than 350 MILLION people worldwide [2]  Depression can be triggered in anyone, and is often associated with major life events that may be challenging to cope with, e.g., the loss of a loved one, loss of job, etc. [3]

MYTH: Even if someone does have depression, it doesn’t impact them that much.
FACT: Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease, and at its worst it can lead to suicide. [2] As a chronic illness, depression can become a serious health condition. It can cause the affected person to suffer greatly and function poorly at work, at school and in the family. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Suicide results in an estimated 1 million deaths every year. [2]

MYTH: Depression usually just “goes away by itself”
FACT: Unfortunately, this is not true. Depression will not go away by itself, and often left untreated the symptoms are very likely to worsen and increase in severity and duration. Like any medical condition, depression requires ongoing treatment and support…the longer one goes without treatment, the harder it often is for the individual to recover. [3] [4] It is for this reason that early detection, prevention, or diagnosis is the key! Stop the stigma! Speak to a GP, a close friend, a psychologist, a counsellor, a trusted colleague, a family member, or call a helpline, join a support group online! 

MYTH: Depression is not treatable.
FACT: False! Depression is in fact VERY treatable! It is among the most treatable of all mental health conditions. The World Health Organization reported that 60- 80% of individuals positively respond to a combination of medication and psychotherapy treatments [5]. However, remember that the treatment for depression depends on how early the symptoms are recognised and treatment is commenced, the life situation of the individual, as well as the fact that, like many illnesses, it takes a long time to treat, with recovery often taking many months. [3]

MYTH: Depression can only be treated by medication.
FACT: Medication is only one of the available options for treatment of depression. Other well evidenced treatments include psychological intervention or counselling, lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, or support groups. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal therapy (IPT) are two widely used psychological intervention approaches and have been shown to be very effective. Some people find one treatment more effective than the other, and often take time before finding the right one that suits them. Often, a combination of treatments is used. Ensure you talk to your GP to work out an individualised support plan. [3]

What causes Depression?

Causes of Depression

Reference: Unknown. Causes of depression. [e-book] Randwick, NSW: BlackDog Institute.; 2012. Available from: http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/Causesofdepression.pdf.

What are some of the Treatments for Depression?

Treatments for Depression

Reference: Unknown. Treatments for DepressIon. [e-book] Randwick, NSW: BlackdogInstitute.; 2012. Available from: http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/Treatmentsfordepression.pdf.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ78NF17zAo – “Damien Laliberte: Depression and Suicide in Teens and Young Adults (TedX Ted Talk in Red Deer)”

 

Where can I seek help and More information?

Beyondblue – an excellent online resource about Depression and Anxiety- it has pages for getting help, and what the most appropriate help for you may be. A Great primary information resource.  http://www.youthbeyondblue.com

Black Dog Institute – website all about depression and bipolar disorder. http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

SANE Australia –  https://www.sane.org/projects/snapshots-1/178-depression

Headspace- National Youth Mental Health Foundation: http://www.headspace.org.au/what-works/research-information/depression

Depression WA – an online support group and forum based in Western Australia. http://www.depressionwa.org/GenWhy/

Goodtherapy – Australian online mental health resource; website includes a Directory of Practitioners http://www.goodtherapy.com.au

Centre for Clinical Intervention – Depression: a rather wordy site with easy defined and outlined modules. http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=37

Journeys with the Black Dog: Inspirational stories of bringing depression to heel, Tessa Wigney, Kerrie Eyers & Gordon Parker (2007), Allen & Unwin

Medication information: http://www.nps.org.au

MoodGYM program – an online cognitive behaviour therapy program provided free of charge http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au

It’s ok to ask for help.

It’s ok to ask someone “How are you feeling?” “Are you OK?”

You’re not alone.

They are not alone.

Silence the stigma, Encourage awareness.

The online environment can be brutal.

So reach out and help anyone who may be struggling, and resist conforming to negative social media behaviours.

The internet is ours, so let’s make it friendly and here to help.

 

 

A Depression Journey Infographic

 

References

[1] Beyondblue.org.au. beyondblue. [Online] Available from: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/signs-and-symptoms [Accessed 25 Mar 2014].

[2] Who.int. WHO | Depression Factsheet. [Online] Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs369/en/ [Accessed 25 Mar 2014].

[3] Hpb.gov.sg. Myths and Misconceptions about Depression. [Online] Available from: http://hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/10202 [Accessed 25 Mar 2014].

[4] Who.int. WHO | MENTAL HEALTH EVIDENCE AND RESEARCH (MER). [Online] Available from: http://www.who.int/entity/mental_health/evidence/en/ [Accessed 25 Mar 2014].

[5] Who.int. WHO | Depression Health Management. [Online] Available from: http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/en/ [Accessed 25 Mar 2014].