What is depression?
Depression can affect a person at any stage of life. |
Depression refers to low mood lasting for more than two weeks that significantly interferes with day-to-day functioning. Symptoms can vary and may include:
sadness
loss of enjoyment of your usual activities
change in appetite/weight
change in sleep patterns (needing more sleep or experiencing disrupted sleep)
less energy
agitation
difficulty concentrating
difficulty making decisions
negative thoughts
One in seven Australians will experience depression in their lifetime1. |
Many factors, often in combination, can lead to depression. These include:
stressful or traumatic events
serious medical illness
family history (genetics)
brain chemistry
personality style
Depression is not a sign of personal weakness or something that you can easily “snap out of”. |
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is more than feeling stressed. Feeling stressed is a common response when we feel under pressure. But if anxious feelings don’t go away, are not easy to control, worry about things that others don’t find stressful, happen without a clear reason or interfere with how we go about our everyday lives, it may be the sign of a severe anxiety condition.
Some common signs and symptoms of severe anxiety include
Feeling worried, tense, panicky, irritable, detached
Thinking that the worst is going to happen, or that you can’t cope or calm down
Experiencing difficulty sleeping, heart pounding, sweating, lightheaded, difficulty concentrating, tummy aches, nausea, muscle tension, shaking
Some of these symptoms can also be signs and symptoms of other medical conditions, so it’s best to discuss these with your GP in the first instance.
Severe anxiety is a feature of a group of mental health disorders including:
generalised anxiety disorder
social phobia
specific phobia
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
panic disorder
separation anxiety disorder
agoraphobia
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Over 25% of Australians will experience an anxiety condition in their lifetime1. |
How a psychologist can help?
At Mindscape we help our clients to make positive changes to overcome symptoms of depression and anxiety.
We can help you to see your circumstances from a new perspective, bring about change and find ways of coping more effectively. This can include helping you to cope with feelings, problem solving issues, and changing thinking and behaviour patterns to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral. However, a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP or private health insurance rebates can help to cover part of the session fee.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 4326.0, 2007. ABS: Canberra.