Depression

Everyone feels sad, moody or low from time to time. Depression, however, is a serious mental health issue where sadness, flat or low mood, or a sense of ‘emptiness’ is prolonged – lasting weeks, months and sometimes years.

Depression isn’t just about ‘feeling down’. It presents with a number of other symptoms and interferes with daily life and relationships.

You may be depressed if, for more than two weeks, you have experienced either (or both) of the following:

• 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 ones usually enjoyed.

For a diagnosis of depression, we will look for specific symptoms that impact on your daily life. Some of these include changes to your appetite and sleep, lethargy, worry and negative thinking patterns.