Depression - Introduction
What is depression?
Depression is a mental health condition that has a variety of physical and mental symptoms. If you have the condition, you can be sad for weeks, or even months at a time.
People with a depressed mood can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, angry, ashamed or restless. They may lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details or making decisions.
Types of depression include:
- mild depression
- clinical depression
- bipolar disorder
- postnatal depression
- seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Living with this condition can be difficult, not only for sufferers, but also for those around them.
Depression - symptoms
If you're depressed, you are likely to have/feel at least five of the following depression symptoms.
- worthless
- like life isn’t worth living
- constantly anxious, tearful and worried
- like you can’t concentrate
- indecisive
- irritable and intolerant of others
- you are not getting enough enjoyment out of life
- you have a lack of self-esteem
- you have excessive and inappropriate guilt
- you have no motivation or interest in things you used to enjoy.
You may exhibit:
- changes in sleeping patterns - broken nights or oversleeping
- changes in eating patterns - loss of appetite or overeating
- tiredness and a loss of energy
- persistent headaches and/or stomach upsets
- chronic pain
- a slower speaking pattern than usual
- loss of libido
- changes to your menstrual cycle.
You may also:
- neglect hobbies and interests
- isolate yourself from friends and family
- take part in fewer social activities
- notice your productivity falling at work.
Depression therapy & counselling
Do you suffer from depression and would you like to get some help how to deal with this? Therapy and counselling can help to feel more free and happy.
Find a counsellor in New Zealand:
