Depression
Depression can leave you feeling lonely, lost and unsure about how you’re going to find a way through.
The tricky part is when you’re depressed, getting support might feel like the last thing you want to do. We totally get that. Sometimes though it can feel difficult to find our way out of depression without the help of a professional.
When should you seek treatment for depression?
The sooner the better. There is a lot we can do to help.
Depression is highly treatable
With many effective tools and strategies available for the treatment of depression, we can help you find your way through.
What causes depression?
Depression can appear “out of the blue” or gradually build up over time. It can be a direct response to a situation, such as losing a job or relationship difficulties, or it can seem to come out of nowhere. It might also run in your family.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
Most of us feel flat or down from time to time, but when you feel depressed, your low mood lasts longer (two weeks or more), is more intense and gets in the way of life. Everyday tasks like getting out of bed, cooking and going to work can feel like a struggle when you are depressed.
Depression looks and feels different for everyone, but here are some of the most common symptoms and signs:
- Feeling sad most of the time
- Not enjoying things that you normally do
- Low motivation and energy levels
- Feeling teary
- Trouble getting started in the mornings
- Feeling lost or hopeless about the future
- A sense that nobody and nothing can help
- Low self-esteem
- High levels of self-criticism
- Sleep problems
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Feeling empty or lonely
- Withdrawing from others
- Reduced sex drive
- Difficulties with concentration and memory
- Suicidal thoughts, ideas or behaviours
How common is depression?
According to Beyond Blue, in Australia, it’s estimated that 45 per cent of people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.
In any one year, approximately 1 million Australian adults have depression.
Depression treatment options
Depending on their training and background, psychologists at Inner Melbourne Clinical Psychology will tailor an approach that draws on a variety of evidence-based treatments including:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Schema Therapy
- Compassion-focused approaches
- Solution-focused Therapy
- Positive Psychology
- Strengths-based approaches
- Psychodynamic approaches
- Emotion Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems Therapy
- Cognitive Analytic Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy
- Narrative Exposure Therapy
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Trauma-informed approaches
- Metacognitive Therapy
- Exposure Therapy
- Behaviour Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Client Centred Therapy
Explore depression treatment in Melbourne
Reaching out for help when you’re feeling depressed can be hard. We get it.
The good news is though, depression is highly treatable. With many effective tools and strategies available, our experienced psychologists can help you to get back on track.
