You are not alone: Making sense of depression

Many people feel low or down from time to time - but for some, these feelings become more intense, long-lasting or difficult to shake. Depression can feel heavy, isolating and relentless. It may affect your energy, motivation, relationships and sense of self, making even small tasks feel overwhelming.

We offer compassionate, expert-led support to help you better understand your depression, find ways to manage it and begin to reconnect with the things that matter most to you.

What is depression?

Depression is more than just feeling sad or low for a few days, it’s a mental health condition that can affect how you think, feel and function day to day. It often involves persistent feelings of hopelessness, emptiness or numbness, and can make even simple tasks feel exhausting or meaningless.

Everyone experiences depression differently. For some, it may come and go in waves; for others, it can feel constant and overwhelming. It can affect your mood, energy, sleep, appetite, relationships and sense of self, and it’s not something you can simply “snap out of.”

Understanding the signs and symptoms is an important step toward recognising when you or someone else might need support.

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to seek help. If depression is interfering with your daily life, it’s worth talking about.

Contact us to book a private therapy session.

Common symptoms of depression

Depression can affect every part of your life from how you feel and behave to how your body functions, Symptoms vary from person to person and you may not experience all of them.

Emotional and psychological symptoms:

• Persistent low mood or sadness
• Feeling hopeless or empty
• Low self-esteem or self-confidence
• Tearfulness
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Irritability or intolerance of others
• Loss of interest and pleasure
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Physical symptoms

• Feeling constantly tired or low energy
• Sleeping too much, or too little
• Changes in appetite
• Unexpected aches and pains, or digestive issues
• Low sex drive
• Agitation

Additionally, you may feel differently around other people and may:

• Avoid social events or withdraw away from others
• Neglect your interests, or responsibilities
• Numb your feelings with alcohol, tobacco or other substances
• Have difficulty functioning at work, school or home

What causes depression?

Depression can develop gradually or be triggered by a specific event. For some people, it’s linked to life experiences; for others, it may stem from physical health or inherited traits. Understanding the cause of your depression and your personal triggers can help you make sense of your feelings and take steps toward recovery.

Some contributing factors include:

• Stressful life events – such as a bereavement, divorce or financial worries
• Major life changes – including having a baby or retiring
• Past trauma or childhood experiences – such as abuse, neglect or instability
• Loneliness or social isolation – feeling disconnected can make you more susceptible to experiencing depression
• Physical health problems – dealing with chronic illness, pain or hormonal changes such as the menopause

Additionally, depression often co-exists with other mental health conditions such as anxiety, PTSD or bipolar disorder.

How can depression be treated?

The good news is depression is highly treatable and there’s more than one way forward. Depending on its severity and your preferences, your clinician may recommend treatment that involves a combination of approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, support and medication.

You’ve got questions and we’re here to help.

If you're unsure about whether you’re experiencing depression, we can guide you.