Depression is a common mental health condition that causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness. It can also cause problems with sleeping and eating.

Depression can be treated with medication and psychological treatment. But it may take time to find the right combination of treatments.

Symptoms

Depression is a mental health condition that affects around 264 million people worldwide. It can cause severe emotional problems, affect your ability to function at work, at school or in your family, and may even lead to suicide.

The symptoms of depression vary from person to person. Some people have physical symptoms like changes in appetite or weight, aches and pains, sleep disturbance (waking too early or too late), or loss of sexual drive.

Others experience mental symptoms such as feeling hopeless, having thoughts of suicide or death, and feeling excessive guilt.

If you or a loved one are experiencing the signs of depression, seek help as soon as possible. Your primary care doctor should be able to diagnose you and recommend treatment. If your symptoms don’t improve after 4 to 8 weeks of treatment, ask your doctor for a referral to a psychiatrist.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of depression is typically made through a combination of laboratory tests and talking with the patient. In addition to asking a series of standard questions, a doctor may also ask if you have ever had any unusual changes in your mood and behaviors.

Clinical depression is a challenging disorder to diagnose because it can appear in so many different ways. For example, someone with depression may withdraw from friends and family and avoid activities they once enjoyed.

They may lose interest in food or lose weight and become irritable and agitated. They can also have a loss of energy and poor concentration.

Symptoms of depression often improve when people make lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise, eating healthy and cutting down on alcohol or tobacco use. They can also try mind/body practices, such as meditation and relaxation techniques. These can help reduce symptoms and increase energy. Talking with a mental health professional can also help you learn new ways to cope with feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

Treatment

Depression is a serious medical illness that can have a long-lasting impact on your life. Treatment options include medication, psychotherapy and a combination of both.

Your doctor will talk to you about the best approach for you and may recommend you see a psychologist, counsellor or psychiatrist. These professionals can help you with education, lifestyle changes and social support.

A good way to start is by talking to your GP about the symptoms you have and how you feel. He or she will be able to tell you whether the symptoms are caused by depression or something else.

If you do have depression, your GP can refer you to an experienced professional and you may be able to access Medicare rebates for some of the services.

There are also a range of psychological therapies, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy, that can help you change your thoughts and coping skills. These types of therapy are usually short-term and focus on addressing your current problems and improving your relationships.

Prevention

There are a variety of things you can do to lower your chances of depression, including taking care of yourself and getting adequate sleep. These actions can also help you feel more alert, focused and optimistic about your life.

There is also research that shows that certain types of stress are associated with a higher risk for depression. Some of the most common triggers include job loss or divorce, abuse or chronic conflict in a relationship and major life changes.

The way you respond to these situations is important. Getting a good night's sleep and taking steps to improve the quality of your relationships are both effective ways of reducing your stress and decreasing your risk for depression.

Despite these preventive strategies, it is still not possible to totally avoid depression or to eliminate your risk of having another episode. Some of the risk factors can't be changed, but they can be managed. It's important to seek treatment for your symptoms and stay committed to your treatment plan.