Depression Therapy Adelaide

Depression is not a choice and can’t just be shaken off. It can happen to anyone and can be difficult to overcome without help. Furthermore, depression can be situational, in a particularly difficult time, or reoccur in stretches lasting months.

Depression is mainly characterised by a sad or irritable mood lasting for at least two weeks, a loss of interest in activities that were previously found pleasurable, and feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and low confidence.

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Other symptoms of depression include:

• Feeling sad, blue, teary or hopeless

• Low motivation

• Irritability, grumpiness and anger

• Tiredness and lack of energy

• Concentration and memory problems and difficulty making decisions

• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness

• Slow thinking, speaking or movements

• Appetite changes

• Too much or too little sleep

• Physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

• Becoming socially withdrawn

• Loss of interest in sex

• Suicidal ideation.

 

Depression symptoms with children may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches and pains, and refusing to go to school.

Teenagers tend to have, besides sadness and low mood, also irritability, low confidence, feeling extremely sensitive, teary or irritable, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood, sleeping too much, using recreational drugs or alcohol, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities, and avoidance of social interaction.

Older adults also suffer from depression, often combined with feelings of loneliness. Because older adults may not always ask for help, or may have symptoms attributed to ageing, depression is often missed. Symptoms to watch out for include increased memory difficulties, personality changes such as becoming withdrawn or irritable, physical aches or pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems and suicidal thoughts.