Depression is more than just sadness; it’s a combination of how we think, feel and behave. Sometimes, we can feel depressed because of a stressful event, like school exams or a relationship break-up. Other times, the reason might be unclear. And that’s OK, too.

While the experience can be different from person to person, there are some common signs and symptoms to look out for. 

Visit our depression page for more information or contact LifeLine or Kids Helpline. Help and Support is available.

Transcript

Depression is more than just sadness. It’s a  combination of how we think, feel and behave. Sometimes we can feel depressed because  of a stressful event like school exams or a relationship breakup. Other times the reason  might be unclear and that’s ok too. We might hear the word depression being used in everyday  life to describe feelings like sadness or low mood. For some, the experience can be more intense,  last longer and interfere with daily functioning. This is what in the mental health world we call  major depression. Depression is slightly different for everyone but there are some common signs  and symptoms to look out for. A person may be experiencing major depression if they’ve noticed  some of the following changes for more than two weeks. Feeling unhappy, numb, worthless, guilty,  moody or irritable. Thinking of themselves and the world in a negative light. Finding everyday activities too hard. Changes to their appetite. Having thoughts about self harm, death or suicide. Feeling tired but having trouble sleeping. Withdrawing from family and friends.

Using more alcohol or other drugs. Depression can sometimes find a way to creep into our lives. Often it starts with feeling sad, tired and uninterested in activities that usually bring us joy. This can cause us to withdraw from hobbies, work, study, family and friends. It can also lead us to neglect our responsibilities. We start feeling increasingly guilty, hopeless or ineffective which makes us feel more depressed, unmotivated and fatigued. Eventually this can become a tricky cycle to navigate.

The good news is that people experiencing depression, can and do get better. Here are three small steps that can help reverse the cycle of depression.

1. Set small tasks that can boost feelings of hope  and give you a sense of achievement. This might include getting dressed, brushing your teeth or  doing something easy that makes you feel good. When we accomplish small things our mood can lift and  this can help increase our energy and motivation. Before we know it, we’re likely feeling able to take on a little more.
2. Learn to understand your unhelpful thoughts and challenge them by paying attention to the good things. Depression it often leads us to focus on what’s going wrong,  which can keep us feeling low. Journaling and finding alternative explanations for our thoughts  can help us notice the good in our lives. Try this activity now, what’s the first thing that pops  into your mind when you think about what you are grateful for? There’s always something even if it doesn’t feel that way at times.
3. Talk to someone about your thoughts and feelings

The first step could be writing down what you want to say. This can help you organise and express your thoughts. Step two could be identifying someone you feel like you can confide in. That might be a friend, family member or someone else you trust. For example a leader, an elder, your Sheik or  Imam, your youth pastor, a teacher, a coach or one of your parents’ friends. If you’re not ready to share how you’re feeling with people you know, you could reach out to online communities or speak  to a professional.

You might find that talking to others can help you feel less alone. It can also help you see things from a different point of view. Life is full of ups and downs, it’s normal to feel low but if depression is sticking around, it’s a good idea to address it. It might feel hard at first but small steps can make a real difference. Remember you’re not alone and help is out there. If you’re a young person aged 12 to 25 looking to talk to a mental health professional visit eheaspace for free online support or contact your local headspace centre.

For more information on managing depression visit headspace.org.au

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Video provided by headspace

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