Sometimes people suffer for years with depression before it is diagnosed.

Depression can be experienced in different ways. Generally, it manifests as a feeling of sadness, but it can also manifest as a sense of numbness or it may be more a feeling of irritability or anger.

It can develop as the result of a stressor, such as a loss of a job, a serious illness or a relationship problem. Or a person may have a genetic predisposition to depression or there may be some childhood issues that need addressing. For some people, it comes and goes and for others, it can be a constant feeling of flatness. 

It also varies in severity. Depression can be debilitating and prevent you from getting the most out of life.

Psychologists can help you to learn strategies for managing your depression effectively.

Depressive symptoms include:

• Persistent feelings of sadness and low mood

• A lack of interest in activities you previously enjoyed

• Feelings of despair, hopelessness, worthlessness, emptiness

• Difficulty controlling your emotions

• Feeling tearful

• Feelings of anxiety, panic or being overwhelmed

• Irritability or anger

• Difficulty concentrating or focusing

• Being indecisive

• Problems with your memory

• Lack of motivation

• Sleeping difficulties

• Lack of energy, fatigue or exhaustion

• Feeling that life is not worth living

• Social withdrawal, isolating yourself

• Neglecting your responsibilities, feeling “I don’t care anymore”

• Change of appetite

• Loss of libido

• Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts.