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What is Depression?
Depression is a
common mental disorder that presents with depressed
mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of
guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or
appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.
These problems can become
chronic or recurrent and lead to substantial impairments in an
individual's ability to take care of his or her everyday
responsibilities.
The signs and symptoms of depression vary for each individual
and there are no rules for depression. You may experience some
of the following symptoms:
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Loss of interest in activities that were once interesting or
enjoyable, including sex
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Loss of interest in work
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Loss of appetite with weight loss, or overeating with weight
gain
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Loss of emotional expression (flat affect)
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A persistently sad, anxious or empty mood
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Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness,
or helplessness
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Social withdrawal
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Unusual fatigue, low energy level, a feeling of being slowed
down
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Sleep disturbance with insomnia, early-morning awakening, or
oversleeping
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Trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
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Unusual restlessness or irritability
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Persistent physical problems such as headaches, digestive
disorders, or chronic pain that does not respond to
treatment
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Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
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Alcohol or drug abuse may be signs of depression
At its worst, depression can
lead to suicide, a tragic fatality associated with the loss of
about 850,000 lives every year worldwide.
Depression is more than just a
low mood – it is a serious illness. People with depression find
it hard to function and perform everyday tasks.
What causes
depression?
Many people assume that depression is caused by recent personal
difficulties. However, it is more likely that depression will be
caused by a mix of recent personal events or difficulties and
other long-term personal risk factors.
Research indicates that ongoing difficulties, such as long term
unemployment or living in an abusive or uncaring relationship,
are more likely to cause depression than recent life stressors.
Common Medical Causes
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Low thyroid function
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Brain injuries and diseases (eg. stroke, heart
disease, head injury, epilepsy, Parkinson’s
Disease)
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Some forms of cancer
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Infectious diseases
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Blood vessel disease in the brain due to
diabetes and/or hypertension
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Some steroid and hormonal treatments
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Chronic pain
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Quitting smoking
(Your local GP can
give you more information regarding these causes for depression
and request tests if necessary such as a blood, urine, sugar,
protein test or a thyroid function test etc).
High Risk Personality
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A life-long worrier
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A perfectionist
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Sensitive to personal criticism
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Unassertive
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Self-critical and negative
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Shy, socially anxious and having low self-esteem
The Facts about Depression
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Depression is common, affecting about 121
million people worldwide.
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Depression is among the leading causes of
disability worldwide.
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One in four women and one in six men will suffer
from depression at some stage in their lives.
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Each year, almost 800,000 Australian adults will
experience a depressive illness.
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Depression is the third most common cause of
illness among women and the tenth most common
cause among men.
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In 2001, Australian GPs reported depression as
the fourth most common illness that they dealt
with in their practices.
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Depression is the leading cause of disability in
Australia.
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Depression alone counts for more days lost to
the workplace than those lost to industrial
action.
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has
predicted that by 2020, depression will be the
second biggest health problem world-wide, behind
heart disease.
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Depression can be reliably diagnosed and treated
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Fewer than 25 % of those affected have access to
effective treatments.
Antidepressant medications and brief, structured
forms of psychotherapy are effective for 60-80 %
of those affected.
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Blue Healer Locations
The NALAG Centre for Loss
and Grief provides the Blue Healers Program to Dubbo and
surrounding areas.
The NALAG Coffs Coast
Branch provides the Blue Healers Program to Coffs
Harbour and surrounding areas.
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