Depression is a mental disorder that affects more than 20-million people a year in the United States alone. More than 25% of adults in the country will suffer an episode of depression before they reach the age of 24-years. Women in the country are two times more prone to the illness compared to men.
These are some of the most debilitating facts about depression affecting Australia. Depression is very common in a majority of societies in the world. Anyone can become depressed at some point in their lifetime. Anyone can get low, but depression is when negative feelings don’t go away quickly. 
Sometimes, these feelings become so bad that they interfere in a person’s day to day life. It can last for a few months, and you may get better from the condition. But the disorder can return within no time and usually with some kind of stressor. It is usual for a person to recover from depression, but it is also common for depression to return again. Here are some of the most important facts about depression.
People become depressed due to various reasons. Sometimes, there can be an obvious reason for a person to become depressed, and sometimes, it may not be so. A person may feel depressed for no reason at all. Or it may be triggered by a relationship breakdown, a bereavement or even a child birth can make a person feel depressed.
Some individuals may be depressed for no obvious reason at all. If these feelings become severe, you may need professional help to get over it. Unhappiness is a normal condition faced by any living human-being. But depression is quite different to unhappiness as it persists and significantly impairs the ability to cope with daily life.
Depression can be quite intense, longer in duration and unpleasant compared to a transient feeling of unhappiness. A person will notice a combination of the following: persistent sadness and low mood, feel exhausted or lethargy, lose interest in life, not be able to enjoy life, loss of weight, loss of appetite, loss of sex drive, difficult to sleep, lose of interest in life, feel irritated, not be able to cope with easy things, being pessimistic, negative, feeling worthless and possibly contemplate suicidal thoughts when he or she is depressed. The condition is categorized as mild, moderate and severe for deciding in the best treatment option for depression.
Many people are not aware that they are severely depressed as most people try to keep themselves busy when they are faced with a barrage of constant negative feelings, or just explain it away as something minor.
They don’t realize that they are depressed and need professional help. They try to avoid the problem with food, alcohol and other toxins just to get rid of their feelings. This is not the correct and helpful approach when it comes to dealing with depression. In fact, a depressed individual may show physical signs such as consistent headaches and sleeplessness.
These physical signs may be the first signs of depression in such individuals. This is why you need to be alert for any of the aforementioned symptoms. If you experience them on a constant basis, you should definitely consult a professional psychiatrist or GP.
There are many forms of treatments available for depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatment methods for this disorder. There are so many self-help programs and books written on the subject. You may access most of these resources through the internet.
Talking treatments are very popular and effective in this regard. There are so many talking treatment methods such as counseling to treat the condition effectively. You are able to open up your feelings and emotions with a professional and address the causes of the depression itself. This will help relieve the negative feelings with regular practice of strategies.
The professional will assist you in feeling your suppressed emotions and feelings. Most of the time, suppressed feelings and emotions are the cornerstone of a depressive episode. When you are able to release these emotions and feelings, you can often feel an immediate relief.
This is why it is important that your first resort to counseling is to address your condition. When it doesn’t work only you need to go for depression drugs and medications but speak to your therapist first to see where you are at. There are people who become depressed while suffering from a disability or caring for a relative. These people may get the necessary support from a self-help group. This is why it is important that you consult the right professional for appropriate treatment when you are suffering from an episode of depression.
If you have severe depression that goes on for a longer period of time, your doctor will recommend antidepressants for you. It will help you feel less anxious and cope better with your day to day life situations. It is important to remember that you will not feel a difference quickly as soon as you take antidepressants or as soon as you start therapy.
In fact, some people don’t feel a difference for at least 2-3 weeks of taking their medications. There are many effective herbal remedies too, for depression. One alternative remedy is St John’s Wort. It is available from your local chemist but seek advice from your physician.
The herbal option is an option for mild to moderate depression. If you are on any other medication, it is important to consult your physician before taking this alternative medication. There have been some side effects noted when this herb is taken while taking any other drug.
The aforementioned article provides a comprehensive overview of important facts about depression.