Depression ranges in seriousness from mild, temporary episodes of sadness to severe, persistent depression. It isn’t the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.
Those who suffer from depression experience persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Aside from the emotional problems caused by depression, individuals can also present with a physical symptom such as chronic pain or digestive issues. To be diagnosed with depression, symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.
Medication – through your GP or referral to a psychiatrist. Medication can be very helpful for a lot of people, but it can take time to find one that works for you. It also will only deal with the symptoms, so you may still need other therapies to deal with the underlying cause of the depression.
Talking therapies – Talking therapy involves talking to someone about your problems and addressing them in a range of ways. You can find detailed information on Talking Therapies available in New Zealand here: https://www.tepou.co.nz/uploads/files/resource-assets/A-Guide-to-Talking-Therapies-in-New-Zealand.pdf
There are several online resources for working through your depression yourself too:
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