Depression – What is it?

Depression is very common. Over a million people in Australia live with depression and 160,000 young people live with depression each year.

On average one in five females and one in eight makes will experience depression in their lifetime.

Even though so many Australians suffer from this illness there are still many people that don’t understand what it is.

Depressed (the word) is derived from a Latin word (dēpressus) which means “pressed down”

I think this is a very relevant point – why?

Because when I “came out” and said I was infact suffering from depression/anxiety. People said things like “you – suffering from depression? No, but you’re a positive person.”

People seem to think that depression is someone that is negative. Well, i’m sure some people with depression are negative however that word does not describe depression.

If I was explaining depression to someone I think the expression Pressed down is a perfect description. To me it’s like pressure, like heaviness on my shoulders. I found myself grinding my teeth and frowning a lot.

And I had so much noise in my head. It was like I could never reach a peaceful state. So so much noise. That noise has now dulled as I’m using medication to help and it has really helped with lots of triggers and symptoms.

One thing I think is very important to add is that depression isn’t a choice and it’s not something you can just switch off. It is an illness and it needs to be treated like one.

If you know someone that you may think is depressed or suffering from some kind of mental illness be there for them. Do research and find out information to help them. – See links below!

How do you know if you’re or someone you know is depressed?

A person may be depressed , if for more than two weeks they have:

• Lost interest or pleasure in most of their usual activities

Or

• Felt sad down or miserable most of the time.

Behaviour

• Stop going out
• Not getting work done
• Withdrawing from close friends and family
• No longer doing things they enjoy
• Unable to concentrate

Tell me about your experience with depression and what did you do to help yourself?

Need more information? go here: www.beyondblue.org.au

Information on depression, anxiety and related disorders, available treatments and where to get help
www.youthbeyondblue.com
beyondblue’s website for young people
www.crufad.org
Information and internet-based education and treatment programs for people with depression or anxiety
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
Information about depression and bipolar disorder
www.mmha.org.au
Mental health information for people from culturally diverse backgrounds
www.headspace.org.au
Information, support and services for young people aged 12 to 25