“You are not alone, so don’t fight it alone.”
Western Plains psychologists and counsellors can help you.
When you are feeling depressed, it is common to feel alone, like it is you against the world. However, that is not the case. Depression is one of the most common mental health problems, and one in five people in Australia will experience depression at some stage in their lives. You are not alone in your struggle, so don’t be alone in dealing with it. There is a range of highly effective treatment options, and we can find the best options for you to manage your depression effectively.
Research reveals that approximately 20 percent of people experience mild or more severe clinical depression during their lives and require a psychologist’s services for depression treatment.
Many people believe being depressed means feeling sad, detached or upset. Normal feelings of sadness are relatively brief and have only a small impact on everyday life. A person can have these emotions without the intensity and the long-lasting physical and cognitive state that one has if they are experiencing clinical depression.
Sometimes there are no obvious reasons for depression. Certain people are more likely to suffer from depression and require depression counselling than others due to family background, life circumstances, experiences and personality traits.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Social Withdrawal
- Irritability or Feelings of Restlessness
- Low or No Libido
- Consistent Negative Thinking
- Low Self-esteem
- Low Motivation
- Frequent Anger Outbursts
- Poor Concentration and Memory Retention
- Persistent Tiredness and Difficulty Sleeping
- Reduced Appetite or Over-eating
- Suicidal Ideation
Understanding Depression
There are many types of depression. Severe forms include but are not limited to:
- Mixed Depression and Anxiety – A combination of symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Major Depression – A depressed mood lasting weeks. This may also be referred to as clinical or unipolar depression.
- Psychotic Depression – A depressed mood that includes symptoms of psychosis such as visual or auditory hallucinations, paranoia and delusions.
- Dysthymia – A less severely depressed mood but a feeling of ongoing flatness/numbness.
- Bipolar Disorder – People with a bipolar disorder may feel alternating periods of severe depression and manic highs.
Our highly experienced psychologists at Western Plains Psychology can provide depression treatment using evidence-based approaches to help those struggling with depression lead happier and more productive lives. They carefully consider the type of depression a person may be experiencing and the severity of its symptoms to determine the suitable form of treatment.