Developing depression is thought to be the result of multiple contributing factors, including biological (such as a genetic risk), psychological (such as having low self-esteem), and social (such as trauma and adverse life events). Depression involves feeling miserable or sad, or losing interest or enjoyment in your usual activities. Feelings of strong guilt or worthlessness may also be present. Other symptoms can include sleep changes (sleeping more, or less), change in appetite (losing your appetite, or it markedly increasing), weight changes (losing or gaining weight, without trying to), feeling tired or lacking energy, feeling agitated or slowed down, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and thoughts of death or dying. While you don’t need to have all of these symptoms to have depression, the symptoms present need to be present most of the time, for at least a couple of weeks. 

When you’re depressed, you feel hopeless, like things will never change. It’s good to know that this is a symptom, rather than an accurate judgement. Depression typically responds to medical and psychological treatment. There are several evidence-based psychological treatments for depression, and sometimes changes can be made quite quickly. If you would like an assessment and discussion regarding your treatment options, enquire here or contact for an appointment to start accessing help.