DEPRESSION

Depression can be described as a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person‘s thoughts, behavior, feelings and physical well-being. Individuals may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable; experience loss of appetite or overeat, have problems concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions; and may contemplate or even attempt suicide.

Most people feel miserable now and then, often when something upsetting or stressful is happening such as a relationship break-up, or losing a job, conflict in a relationship. Feeling down in response to difficult situations is pretty normal, and usually the feelings fade over time and you get on with life. If feelings stay around and increase in intensity over a period of time and become intense and persistent, this could be depression.

Possible Signs

• Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
• Irritability or restlessness feeling tired all the time
• General loss of energy
• Feelings of emptiness or loneliness
• Lack of motivation and interest in life
• Loss of interest in once favourite activities
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Low self-esteem
• Problems with concentration
• Often thinking about death
• Reduced sex drive
• Feeling confused

Depression can also be triggered by a difficult situation in your life, or it can build up over many years. Sometimes there’s no obvious reason.

Treatment

Depression can be treated with one method or best, a combination of methods:

• Counselling – talk to a counsellor
• Healthy Lifestyle – good nutrition, regular exercise, sleep
• Use of stress management tools
• Medication prescribed by a doctor or specialist