Feelings of grief and intense sadness are to be expected when experiencing life’s challenges. However, when these feelings persist for prolonged periods of time and prevent you from functioning or living your day-to-day life, it might be more than sadness. Identifying that you have depression is the first step to getting through it, and you can take small steps by first understanding ‘what is depression’ and all of its nuances.
At Mosh, our telehealth platform connects you with AHPRA-registered doctors who will make sure you have a safe space to open up and talk about your difficulties.
There isn’t a single cause for depression, as there are a number of factors that are frequently connected to its development. Often, depression is usually the result of a combination of continuing difficulties such as long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness, prolonged work stress, and other issues.[1]
Life conditions and other personal factors could have a significant effect on someone’s risk of depression.[2] Below are some of the following examples.
- People who have low esteem and tend to be self-critical could be more susceptible to depression.
- Long-term medical illness could place someone at more risk for depression.
- Alcohol and substance abuse can put users at a higher risk for depression.
There are a variety of factors that may contribute to developing depression, and it's important to remember that you cannot always identify the cause or alter difficult situations. The most significant thing is to recognise the signs and symptoms and seek support.
Some significant symptoms of depression that you should look out for are intense emotions of feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed most of the time for two weeks or more. Another is if these emotions impact how you function at home, at work, or in school.
If you or someone you care for is experiencing symptoms of depression, then it is ideal to seek medical assistance early. It is not recommended to attempt to cope with depression on your own, nor is it recommended to self-diagnose yourself. Your doctor can be more effective at addressing your emotions and symptoms and helping you get through things.
At Mosh, our telehealth platform connects you with a network of AHPRA-registered doctors who can help you understand answers to the question ‘what is depression’ and help you get through what you’re experiencing. If necessary, they will also prescribe a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific requirements and objectives.
Depression is considered a common mental disorder.[3] While it may initially start as normal emotional responses to stress, trauma, or isolation, depression can be a serious health condition when the triggers and emotional responses occur regularly at moderate or severe intensity. If someone develops depression, they may suffer greatly and be unable to function at work, at school, and at home.
Moreover, people with depression may generally find it difficult to engage in interests or hobbies that they once enjoyed, interact with friends or family, and associate their depression with physical recurring pains.
At Mosh, you can consult with a network of therapists who have a diverse range of skills to suit your distinct requirements and experiences until you find one who understands your situation best.
If you have been diagnosed with depression or are at risk, our doctors may suggest evidence-based recommendations to address your concerns. And, if necessary, our doctors may recommend a personalised treatment plan to resolve your mental health concerns. Of course, you don't have to take any treatment plan proposed.
We provide free unlimited medical consultations via text, call, or video for all your health-related questions, like ‘what is depression’. You can also receive one-on-one, confidential online therapy sessions to support you in your recovery.
Depression is often not recognised and can go on for months or even years if left untreated.[4] Sometimes, the symptoms and effects of depression can be overlooked and attributed to other non-urgent issues. Once you notice the symptoms of depression or its effects, it is important to seek support as early as possible.
Untreated depression can have many negative effects on a person’s life and manifests differently in each person. These effects may involve how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and reasons about their situation. People with depression may feel:
- inexplicably sudden sadness;
- overwhelmed;
- Inadequate; and
- hopeless.
They may also have recurring negative thoughts relating to their situation and emotions. Moreover, people with depression may also behave differently than before, such as:
- losing enjoyment in their hobbies and interests;
- isolating themselves from others;
- losing interest in sex;
- drinking more alcohol or using substances; and
- being less productive.
While anyone with depression can experience any symptom, men and women tend to experience and report symptoms differently.[5] They may also require different treatments, medications, and recovery plans to address the effects of their depression. Thus, it is important for you to consult with a doctor and receive a professional diagnosis if you feel like you could have depression. The important thing is to find the right doctor for your needs.
At Mosh, you can connect with a doctor that can help you understand better regarding ‘what is depression’ and help you get through it. If necessary, you could also be recommended a treatment plan and medications that fit your needs.
If you are prescribed medications at Mosh, your medications and prescriptions can be delivered to you as you need them. After that, you will need to check in with your Mosh doctor after the first, third and sixth months, as well as every six months after that.
If you want to learn more about how to cope with depression or how to calm down anxiety, we offer other resources for you to read further.
At Mosh, we are committed to helping you get through your toughest moments. Now is the time for action, not words, and for achieving results rather than dreaming about them. That is why we are here to help you get your life back on track.
We’re committed to helping you get the results you’re after and delivering quality health services for all our Moshers. We will assist you with your health concerns, including skincare, mental health, and sexual health, among others. If you have any questions, we are available Monday through Friday, 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. AEST.
If you’re wondering about questions like ‘what is anxiety’, what the symptoms of depression are or where you can take a depression test, know that our Mosh doctors will strive to give you the support you need and do their best to answer your burning questions.
If you’ve been typing online ‘When do I know if I feel depressed’, you may want to learn more about how to improve your mental health. And, if you're in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call Lifeline support at 13 11 14.
Whenever you’re ready, you can talk to us at Mosh.
