Depression

For some young people, feelings of sadness and unhappiness outweigh their happy and excited emotions.
When you have depression, these sad feelings become overwhelming and long-lasting, affecting how you think, how you feel and what you do. These feelings can last for weeks, months or even longer.

What is depression?

Depression is more than just feeling upset or sad – it is a serious condition which makes coping with day-to-day life to be hard and leaves you feeling down most of the time.

You might feel irritable, sad and stressed most of the time. Or you might get more angry than usual and feel restless, unable to relax or stop thinking about what is on your mind. Other feelings that you might experience include feeling guilty, worthless, frustrated, unhappy, indecisive, disappointed and miserable.

Download our Anxiety and depression booklet: What you need to know

signs of
depression

Depression can affect how you feel about yourself and others. Symptoms can be physical, mental and emotional.

Types of
depression

There are different types of depressive conditions, with symptoms ranging from relatively mild through to severe.

Treatments for depression

With the right treatment and support you can recover from depression. There are a range of things that you can do, both practically and psychologically, to help improve your mental health and wellbeing.

How common is it?

Depression is pretty common – around one in 35 young (2.8%) Australians aged 4-17 experience a depressive disorder. This is equivalent to around 112,000 young people.

Girls are more likely than boys to experience depression, but boys often find it harder to talk about their feelings and get support.

What causes depression

Depression is different for everyone, and there is no simple answer for why people develop the condition. For most people there is a combination of reasons.

There are a range of issues that affect how we think, feel and behave. Some people often develop depression after a stressful life event. It might begin with some feelings of sadness, distress or anxiety. Over time, these symptoms become more intense and overwhelming and can affect friendships, relationships and every-day life.

Loss and grief

The feelings of loss and grief can be really strong when you lose something or someone. It might be the death of someone close to you, the end of a relationship or friendship, or if you have to move away from the friend and family that you love.

Bullying

Bullying can happen at school, university, work or on the sporting field. There are many ways that people can be bullied; verbally, physically, socially, psychologically and online (cyber bullying). It can leave you feeling alone, worthless, sad and angry, and if it continues over a long period of time it can lower your self-esteem.

Alcohol and drug use

Alcohol and drug use can leave you feeling anxious, agitated, panicked, flat, unmotivated and moody, while your sense of reality can also be affected. It is also likely to affect your relationships with your friends and family, as well as causing potential problems for you at home, school or in the work environment.

Low self-esteem and body image

Feeling bad about yourself can affect your physical and mental health; the way you eat, how you look, feel, behave and interact with others.

Discrimination

Experiencing discrimination can affect your mental health. People can be discriminated against for their race, sex, religion, age, sexuality or other things that make them different to others.

Physical health problems

If you live with a chronic illness such as diabetes, arthritis or asthma, you are also at greater risk of developing depression and anxiety. Less common chronic physical illnesses that can also be associated with depression include chronic pain and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Life events

People who have been through a traumatic event can have trouble coping in the days, weeks and months afterwards. This could be after a car or other serious accident, physical or sexual assault, war or torture, or disasters such as bushfires or floods.

Family breakup

Separation and/or divorce are pretty common and how it affects each family varies, but it can be a really challenging time.

Loneliness

Some people have a tough time when they don't have support of friends and family to draw on. The lack of a close, confiding relationship with someone can contribute to a person feeling isolated and alone.

What you can do to start feeling better

With the right treatment and support, you can recover from depression. There are a range of things that you can do, both practically and psychologically, to help improve your mental health and wellbeing.

The recovery process can be different for everyone and it is all about finding what works best for you but you don't have to work it out alone. With the help of friends, family and perhaps a health professional, you will be able to find the support you need.

Where to get support

Sometimes you need more than the help of your friends and family.

Anxiety and depression are medical conditions and so treatment from a health professional is sometimes necessary. There are a range of health professionals available to support you while you recover from anxiety and depression.

Support groups, websites and helplines can also be a great help.

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I can’t stop the waves from coming, but I’m learning to surf.

JJ, 23

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