by Tracey Lloyd

Created on: June 14, 2008

Winston Churchill described it as a "black dog", before him Aristotle believed that it could be the making of a person, there is a stigma attached to talking about it in polite society yet 1 in 5 people will experience an episode of depression. It's a common medical condition and is responsible for the second highest amount of disability in Australia after heart disease.

What is depression and why is it so debilitating? Depression is a serious medical condition, which if left untreated can be fatal. People experiencing depression describe it as being in a fog, no longer living or having an alien come and take over their body and personality. An episode of depression can lead a person to thinking that they are not worthwhile, that the world would be better off without them. A person may withdraw from activities that previously they enjoyed or may take sick days from work because they cannot face getting out of bed. In short life becomes a miserable existence.

How can I tell if I or someone I love may be experiencing depression?

The symptoms of depression are not the same for every person. However, if for two weeks or more you have had, or have observed in another person, any of the following thoughts or behaviours, please seek help from a doctor or a mental health professional.

lack of interest in activities previously found enjoyable;
sleep problems (either too little or too much);
a feeling of tiredness or lethargy;
feelings of guilt or worthlessness;
problems concentrating or making decisions;
slow or fidgety speech or movements;
thinking that life is not worth living.

If you or a person close to you expresses suicidal thoughts, please take them seriously, as depression is a major risk factor for suicide. Do not be judgmental but assist the person to get help. In Australia, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for assistance.

Depression is a life limiter it affects all areas of a person's life. A person with depression has an inability to manage stressful situations, has distorted overly negative thoughts, which are overly self-critical, changes to the chemistry of the brain and limitation of social contact. This creates a vicious circle where a person's depression increases due to the removal of positive social contacts, positive thoughts and handling of situations.

There is no one specific cause of depression. Research has found many events and life situations that may increase a person's likelihood of experiencing an episode of depression. These include:

ongoing

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