Mood Difficulties |
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Depression is more common than you would think – in Australia, as many as 1 in 7 people experience depression – but the exact number of people affected by depression is probably even higher than this. Depression is often missed due to misinformation about symptoms, such as when people mistakenly believe that if they can get out of bed and get to work, then they mustn’t be depressed. Depression might also be minimised when people believe their depression is justified by a stressful time or a period of huge change.
While everyone feels down sometimes, there’s a difference between short-term low mood and depression. Regardless of whether you meet full criteria for a mood disorder, if your low mood isn’t lifting or if it’s affecting your day to day functioning it might be worthwhile seeking advice from a clinical psychologist. A clinical psychologist can provide you with strategies to manage symptoms of depression. If you’ve had depression before, a clinical psychologist can also help you identify early warning signs and a plan for responding to early warning signs to reduce your risk for future depression.
Click here for more information on depression and tips for improving mood.
Symptoms of depression may vary from person to person, but common signs are:
The exact cause of depression isn’t known, but depression is likely to be the result of a combination of factors. Factors that may increase your vulnerability for depression include:
Depression can make things feels hopeless and it can feel as though things will never get better, but this feeling is a symptom and there are a number of things that can be put in place to help you feel better.
Common symptoms of Postnatal Depression are:
Having Postnatal Depression doesn’t say anything about your ability to be a good parent – it can affect anyone. Factors that may put some mums at a higher risk are:
A new baby can be challenging so women often miss symptoms of postnatal depression. Woman can also feel ashamed or embarrassed about their symptoms and avoid seeking help. If you think you may be experiencing Postnatal Depression it’s important you discuss this with a close friend, family member or your general practitioner.
The manic episodes of bipolar are characterised by feelings of euphoria or irritability and intense agitation. Other key symptoms of mania include:
In acute manic episodes people with Bipolar may also experience delusions and hallucinations.
There are four types of Bipolar Disorder:
Bipolar I is the most severe of the Bipolar Disorders and is diagnosed when a patient has experienced at least one episode of mania and one episode of depression. Individuals with Bipolar II experience shifts in mood between depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, which are less severe than manic episodes and do not require a hospital admission. Cyclothymic Disorder or Cyclothymia is a mild form of bipolar involving shifts in mood between mild depression and hypomania over at least a two year period.
The highs and lows of Bipolar can impact a person’s relationships, their career, and their financial position. Effective treatment (a combination of medication and psychological strategies) can help to reduce the severity of changes in mood and reduce the risk of relapse.