About Depression

Depression is a persistent feeling of sadness, often with a lack of interest or motivation.  The impact of depression can affect your daily life as you may struggle to function with everyday activities.  

There can be emotional and physical symptoms for depression.  

Emotional symptoms may include:

• Continuous or prolonged low mood or sadness
• Feeling hopeless and/or helpless
• Lack of motivation or interest in things
• Feeling tearful
• Low self-esteem and confidence
• Lack of purpose
• Lack of joy in things you would usually enjoy
• Low tolerance of others
• Difficulty in making decisions
• Feeling anxious or worried
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Physical symptoms may include:

• Lack of energy
• Moving or speaking more slowly than usual
• Possible changes with your appetite and/or weight
• Loss of emotional connection with others
• Loss of libido
• Changes to your menstrual cycle
• Changes to your sleep patterns

There is no clear answer to this.  For some people they may have a single episode of depression, others can have periods of depression throughout their lives.  Some periods may last longer than others.  

If you feel ready to get some support with your depression therapy can help you with  understanding your emotions and finding ways to help you manage how you feel.  It can help you to establish a routine and put some realistic goals in place to help with motivation.  It can also help you to work through experiences that may have led to or have had an influence in why you are feeling depressed.  You may also find that being able to talk to someone can help you communicate differently with your loved ones about how you are feeling.