Depression is a serious illness that has a variety of symptoms. Depression can cause feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness and affect your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Depression can affect your everyday life and lead to self-harm or suicide. Depression can also impact your relationships. Only if you seek help can depression be treated. Depression can be treated by either psychotherapy or medicine.

Depression is a complex condition that we don’t understand fully. It often occurs after a negative event such as a loss or a breakup in a relationship. This can also occur after major life events, like moving, losing your job or retiring. A chemical imbalance in your brain can cause depression, as can certain medical conditions such as heart disease or cancer. A family history of depression increases the risk for developing it. It is due to the fact that multiple genes are involved in the risk and interact with the surrounding environment to produce symptoms.

It can be difficult to tell your doctor how much you believe. If you experience 5 or more symptoms for at least 2 weeks, it is important to make an appointment with your doctor. The doctor will perform a mental exam and go over your medical history. Most often, depression is diagnosed by mental health professionals. However, some doctors and nurses are able to recognize it as well. Depression can first manifest as a physical issue, like a tightened chest or headaches. Psychosomatically is what’s happening. It’s still important to have a mental exam, even if physical symptoms are more severe.

Find out the cause of your depression, and seek treatment immediately. Don’t get discouraged if the answer doesn’t come to you right away. Recovery from depression takes time.

You can help yourself by getting enough rest, being physically active and eating healthy food. It can be helpful to talk with a family member or trusted friend. Join a group of people who suffer from depression. You can also find a therapist or counsellor who specialises in depression. Ask your doctor for a recommendation, or contact local senior centres and religious groups who offer sliding-scale therapy.

You can also take part in clinical trials or try out a new treatment. They are research studies that examine ways to diagnose or treat conditions and diseases, such as depression. Many of the medicines and therapies we use today were developed through clinical trials. Ask your doctor about clinical trials.

If you would like to speak with a Doctor who is an expert in the field or has Australian training, please contact us. Book an online Telehealth consultation. We are always here for you, 24/7. Contact info@clinicall.com.au.