Depression: Counselling and Management – Cairns and Australia

Everyone can feel sad; particularly when faced with loss or grief. Depression, however, is more than low mood and sadness at a loss, it is a serious medical illness and is usually seen as the result of chemical imbalances in the brain. The sufferer feels extremely sad, dejected and unmotivated. Depression is common and sadly, appears to be on the increase across the developed world along with anxiety.

Depression Can Affect Anyone

One out of four women and one in six men suffer from depression at some time in their life. Only about 20% of people are correctly diagnosed, because depression can mask itself as a physical illness, such as chronic pain, sleeplessness or fatigue.

Symptoms of Depression

Some of the symptoms of depression can include:

• A persistent feeling of sadness or low mood.
• A loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities.
• A loss of appetite or weight.
• An Inability to sleep or waking up early.
• Feeling tired all the time.
• Having trouble concentrating.
• Feeling restless, agitated, worthless and guilty.
• Feeling that life isn’t worth living.

What Causes Depression?

Depression results from a combination of physical, environmental and psychological factors which we think may lead to chemical imbalances in the brain. Diagnosis in every case needs a careful analysis of causes.

Physical Causes Include:

• Mental illness and treatment;
• Inherited traits;
• Chemical changes;
• Drug or alcohol abuse.

Psychological Causes include:

• Life stress.
• Negative experiences and loss.
• High anxiety.

Depression Counselling in Cairns and North Queensland

There are many ways to manage and help minimise the impacts of depression. You require and benefit from additional support when suffering from depression, though working with a psychologist such as myself at Seachange Psychology as I offer counselling and depression management services in Cairns, North Queensland and interstate now that this service is now also available online.

If you believe you are suffering from, or are at risk of developing, depression, contact me, at crispian@seachangepsychology.com.au or via WhatsApp on +81 805120 6364