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What is depression?​

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Depression tends to be a word used in everyday language to describe a range of feelings experienced by most people from time to time, including sadness, moodiness, disappointment, boredom, lethargy, and feeling down in the dumps. These feelings typically lessen or pass reasonably quickly, and individuals return to enjoying life.

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Clinical depression is a much more serious mental health issue that requires professional attention. It is characterised by experiencing a prolonged and significantly lower mood that lasts for two weeks or longer. There is typically a loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed and a diminished ability to love, work, and perform daily activities. Additionally, there may be a significant personality change. It is important to note that one in seven Australians will experience depression in their lifetime.

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What are the causes of depression?

There's no single cause of depression. It may be triggered by a variety of factors, including:

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• Negative or distorted thinking patterns.

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• Current stress resulting from dealing with certain life events, including relational break-ups or divorce, unemployment, loneliness, family problems, childbirth (or pregnancy loss), money problems, death in the family, ongoing health problems, caring for sick family members, aging, and exposure to traumatic events such as surviving fires, floods, or other catastrophes.

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• Past stressors, including childhood physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect by a caregiver, being bullied as a child, and receiving a lack of preparation for adult life.

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• Genetic factors.

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• Changes in brain activity or hormone levels.

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• Drug and alcohol misuse.