It is common for people to feel sad, moody and low, especially when faced with certain stressors. Depression however is a sadness or low mood that persists for weeks, months or in severe cases years. 

 

Symptoms of depression:

• A sense of sadness, emptiness or low mood for most of the day nearly every day. 

• A loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities, even the ones you used to enjoy.

• Symptoms can cause changes in your appetite, sleep, energy levels, increase worry and negative thinking.

 

Causes for depression:

• There is no single cause of depression and it is likely related to a combination of a person’s gene’s, biology, life experiences, stress and thinking styles. 

• Research shows genetics may be responsible for 30-40% of cases. 

• Research has found some differences in the brain that relate to emotional responses and regulation, the centre for the interpretation of information and responses to stress. 

• Stressful life events, particularly in early childhood, pose as a risk factor to the development of depression. 

 

Thinking styles such as people who view the world and themselves through a negative lens are more prone to depression. 

 

Treatment for Depression:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps people to change their unhelpful thoughts and behaviours that can contribute to depression and aims to support the person to build skills to manage depressive symptoms in an on going way. 

• Problem solving therapy supports people to gain mastery over the day to day stressors and problems that may seem overwhelming. 

• Behavioural activation looks at increasing motivation so someone can return to their usual activities. It looks at the activities and behaviours that support improvement in mood and quality of life and usually involves a range of activities that a person likes and dislikes.  

• Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) explores the persons relationships and expectations about others that is contributing to their mood and seeks to help people find new ways to develop and sustain relationships, resolve conflicts, express emotions and communicate more effectively, adapt to changes in life roles and improve social support networks. 

• Mindfulness based CBT (MB-CBT) teaches mindfulness meditation combined with cognitive behavioural techniques. The meditation component helps the person to focus upon the present without judging or trying to change the experience. Studies have shown MB-CBT to be effective in preventing relapse.