Depression

Depression is a mental illness where you feel sad and miserable most of the time and your mood is persistently very low. Being depressed is more than feeling down for a day or two – it usually continues for weeks or months at a time.

Depression can range from being a mild illness, to a severe one – where you can lose interest in life and the things you used to enjoy.

Triggers of depression

Often depression is triggered by a difficult situation or stressful changes in your life. It can build up over many years.

Signs of depression

Some of the signs of depression are:

• feeling tired all the time
• getting too much sleep or not enough
• feeling worthless and helpless
• thinking about death a lot
• having no energy and feelings of low self-esteem
• loss of appetite or overeating
• sadness or emotional ‘numbness’
• loss of pleasure in everyday activities
• irritability or anxiety
• poor concentration
• feeling guilty, or crying for no apparent reason.

Managing your depression

There are things you can do yourself to help manage your depression.

Here are a few ideas:

• do regular exercise
• get good quality sleep
• understand what triggers depression for you (eg, lack of sleep, too much stress)
• join a support group
• eat healthily
• reduce stress
• learn relaxation techniques.

Getting help

Getting help is an important part of managing depression.

Talk to someone:

• a friend or a family member
• the Depression Helpline 0800 111 757
• your GP, who can advise on the best treatment options for you
• a member of your local community mental health team (contact them through your local district health board).

Get in touch with counselling services:

• a school guidance counsellor
• relationships services
• iwi and other Māori health counselling services
• alcohol and drug services
• family support services.

Reference:   Ministry of Health (MOH) - 2015