While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. Depression is more than just a low mood – it's a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health.
While we don’t know exactly what causes depression, a number of things are often linked to its development. Depression usually results from a combination of recent events and other longer-term or personal factors, rather than one immediate issue or event.
Family history – Depression can run in families and some people will be at an increased genetic risk. However, having a parent or close relative with depression doesn’t mean you’ll automatically have the same experience. Life circumstances and other personal factors are still likely to have an important influence.
Personality – Some people may be more at risk of depression because of their personality, particularly if they have a tendency to worry a lot, have low self-esteem, are perfectionists, are sensitive to personal criticism, or are self-critical and negative.
Serious medical illness – The stress and worry of coping with a serious illness can lead to depression, especially if you’re dealing with long-term management and/or chronic pain.
Drug and alcohol use – Drug and alcohol use can both lead to and result from depression. Many people with depression also have drug and alcohol problems. Over 500,000 Australians will experience depression and a substance use disorder at the same time, at some point in their lives.
Recovery is a unique and individual process that everyone goes through differently. However, there are some common emotions that many people may experience.
Shock at having to deal with something difficult and scary that you have no prior experience of.
Denial or difficulty in accepting having a health problem, particularly one that many people find hard to understand.
Despair and anger at having to deal with the condition and its related difficulties.
Acceptance of having a condition and the changes it brings, and accepting how others see you and how you see yourself.
Coping by finding new ways to live with and tackle these changes and challenges.
Recovery goes beyond focusing on managing distressing symptoms but about having choices and being able to create a meaningful and contributing life.
"Change is never easy, but always possible"
"Stay positive, even when it feels like your life is falling apart"
"There is hope even when your brain tells you there isn't"