Depression
What are the common symptoms?
Depression is a common mental health condition that affects how you feel, think, and behave. It goes beyond occasional sadness and can significantly interfere with daily life, work, and relationships.
Recognising the symptoms early is crucial for seeking help and managing the condition effectively. Depression can manifest in emotional, physical, and cognitive ways, and while symptoms vary from person to person, there are common signs that indicate its presence. These symptoms often persist for weeks or months and may worsen without appropriate support or treatment.
Understanding these indicators can help you or someone you care about take proactive steps towards recovery. Below is a list of common symptoms associated with depression. If you notice several of these signs in yourself or others, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for guidance and support.
- Persistent sadness or low mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Fatigue or low energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia or oversleeping)
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Why do I feel like this?
Depression is a complex mental health condition that affects how we think, feel, and behave. When you ask, “Why do I feel like this?”, it often stems from a mix of biological, psychological, and social factors. Depression can distort perception, making everyday challenges feel overwhelming and draining motivation. It’s not simply sadness; it’s a persistent state that influences energy levels, sleep, appetite, and self-worth.
Understanding why you feel this way is the first step towards managing it. Common triggers include stress, unresolved trauma, chemical imbalances, and lifestyle factors. Recognising these influences helps you approach depression with compassion rather than self-blame. While it may feel isolating, depression is treatable, and support is available through therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Awareness empowers you to take proactive steps towards recovery and regain control over your mental well-being.
Biological Factors
Depression often involves changes in brain chemistry, particularly neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Genetics can also play a role, making some individuals more vulnerable. These biological influences affect mood regulation, energy, and motivation, creating feelings of hopelessness that are difficult to overcome without proper treatment.
Psychological Influences
Social and Environmental Triggers
Lifestyle and Health Factors
Poor sleep, unhealthy diet, and lack of physical activity can worsen depression. Substance abuse or chronic illness also increases vulnerability. These factors disrupt hormonal balance and energy levels, creating a vicious cycle where physical health declines alongside mental well-being, reinforcing depressive states.
How does therapy help?
Therapy is a powerful tool for managing depression, offering support, guidance, and practical strategies to improve mental health. It provides a safe space to explore emotions, identify negative thought patterns, and develop coping mechanisms. Through evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), therapy helps individuals challenge distorted thinking and build resilience. It also fosters emotional regulation, enhances self-awareness, and promotes healthier relationships. By addressing underlying issues and teaching problem-solving skills, therapy empowers individuals to regain control over their lives. Combined with empathy and professional expertise, therapy can significantly reduce symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Identifying Negative Thought Patterns
Therapy helps uncover harmful thinking habits that fuel depression. By recognising these patterns, individuals learn to challenge and replace them with balanced, constructive thoughts, reducing emotional distress and hopelessness.
Developing Coping Strategies
Therapists teach practical coping techniques, such as mindfulness and stress management, enabling individuals to handle triggers effectively. These skills build resilience and prevent depressive episodes from worsening over time.
Improving Emotional Regulation
Therapy provides tools to manage overwhelming emotions, reducing impulsive reactions and mood swings. Learning emotional regulation fosters stability, helping individuals respond calmly to challenges and maintain mental well-being.
Enhancing Self-Awareness
Through guided reflection, therapy increases self-understanding, helping individuals recognise personal strengths and weaknesses. This awareness promotes healthier choices, boosts confidence, and supports long-term recovery from depressive symptoms.
Strengthening Relationships
Depression often strains relationships. Therapy teaches communication skills and empathy, improving interpersonal connections. Stronger relationships provide emotional support, reducing isolation and fostering a sense of belonging and security.
Addressing Root Causes
Therapy explores underlying issues like trauma, stress, or unresolved conflicts contributing to depression. By addressing these causes, individuals achieve deeper healing and prevent recurring depressive patterns in life.
What are the therapy options that Transformations Clinical Psychology can offer me?
Please contact us or follow this link if you would like to set up an assessment with a psychologist at Transformations Clinical Psychologist.
Meet Our Team
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Please contact us or click on this link if you would like to see one of our experienced psychologists
FAQ
Q1. What happens in the first session? Do I need to prepare?
Your first appointment is 50–60 minutes. We’ll get to know you—what’s been hard, what you’d like to change, and what’s helped before. You’re welcome to bring notes or just come as you are; we’ll go at your pace. Please complete the online intake and consent forms beforehand. Sessions are available in person (Sydney) or via secure telehealth across Australia. We’ll finish with a clear plan and time for your questions. If you’re in immediate danger, call 000.
Q2. How do fees and Medicare/private insurance work? Do I need a GP referral?
You can book without a referral. If your GP provides a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. We’ll check your eligibility and confirm your out-of-pocket cost before you commit. Private health (Extras) can’t be claimed with Medicare for the same session—please check your fund for coverage. If cost is a concern, let us know and we’ll talk through options.
Q3. Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes. Your sessions and records are kept private under strict legal and ethical standards. There are a few exceptions—if there’s a serious risk of harm, concerns about a child or vulnerable person, or a court order. If we ever need to share information, we’ll explain why, what will be shared, and involve you as much as possible.