Depression in Australia: Facts, Statistics & Treatment

What Is Depression?

Depression is a complex mental health condition that goes beyond occasional sadness. It’s a persistent state of low mood, often accompanied by physical symptoms, that can significantly impact daily life. Unlike temporary feelings of sadness, depression is consistent, intense, and often without a clear cause.

And it’s not a sign of weakness or something that you just shake off or ignore. It’s a real, serious condition.

Feeling sad is part of what it is to be human, but if you’re feeling low for an extended period, that’s another story. You should reach out to your GP or, at the very least, confide with a friend or family member about how you are feeling. We can assure you that it’s treatable, and we’ve seen many people with depression make a full recovery.

Types of Depression

Depression isn’t a singular, monolithic disorder but rather a spectrum of related conditions that manifest in different ways. 

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Major Depressive Disorder is not just feeling sad or down for a few days; it’s a persistent state of low mood and lack of interest that lasts for at least two weeks and often much longer.

One of the ways MDD can manifest is through what’s known as anxious distress. This is when symptoms of anxiety are present alongside depression. Individuals with anxious distress may feel tense and restless and have trouble concentrating because they worry so much. They may fear that something awful might happen, or they may feel that they might lose control of themselves.

Another common experience is melancholic depression, characterised by a lack of pleasure in all or most activities and a lack of reactivity to usually pleasurable stimuli. This isn’t just a case of “not enjoying things as much as you used to.” It’s more like a profound sense of joylessness that permeates all aspects of life. People with melancholic depression may also experience significant weight loss or gain, excessive or inappropriate guilt, and worsening of symptoms in the morning.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

PDD, previously known as dysthymia, persistent low-grade depression. It differs from Major Depressive Disorder in that it is a long-term, chronic form of depression lasting at least two years, persistently casting a shadow over everyday life.

PDD is often less severe than Major Depressive Disorder, but its chronic nature can make it equally, if not more, debilitating. Imagine feeling low, losing interest in daily activities, struggling with low self-esteem, and finding it hard to concentrate or make decisions, and this going on day after day, month after month – incredibly draining.

Despite its chronic nature, PDD can sometimes fly under the radar. Because the symptoms are less severe, people with PDD might still be able to go about their daily routines. They might be holding down a job, maintaining relationships, and fulfilling other responsibilities. But underneath, they’re fighting a constant battle against persistent low mood. This can make PDD a bit of a silent struggle for some people.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as ‘manic depression’, is a tumultuous experience in which individuals battle with extreme highs and lows of emotion. These wild mood swings can cause them to feel euphoric one moment and plunged into deep despair the next – lasting for days or weeks at a time.

When manic, those who have bipolar disorder may have unusually high energy levels along with grand ideas that they act upon impulsively without considering the consequences. In stark contrast to the frenetic energy of the manic phase, during depressive episodes, those with bipolar tend to feel persistently sad and lose interest in activities they used to enjoy.

While bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition with no cure yet available, it can still be effectively managed through appropriate treatment so those affected can live healthy lives despite their diagnosis.

Psychotic Depression

Psychotic Depression occurs when some form of psychosis accompanies a severe depressive illness. The psychosis could be hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), delusions (false beliefs), or some other break with reality.

This combination of symptoms can make psychotic depression particularly challenging. Not only are individuals dealing with the weight of depression, but they’re also trying to navigate a world that may seem distorted or threatening.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression can manifest in women after childbirth. It’s more than the fleeting “baby blues” – which can include temporary mood swings, teariness and anxiety – but rather a prolonged period of deep sadness, fatigue and fear that makes it difficult for new mothers to care for themselves or their newborns.

Situational Depression

Situational depression, also known as adjustment disorder with depressed mood, is a type of depression that’s directly related to specific events or situations. Usually, you can pinpoint the trigger that led to it – the death of a loved one, job loss or any other stressful major life change. It’s a natural and understandable response to hardship or trauma.

Situational depression is usually temporary, subsiding once the individual has had time to adjust to the situation or the situation itself has been resolved. Still, it doesn’t make it any less challenging for those going through it. The feelings of sadness and hopelessness can be just as intense as in other forms of depression.

Situational depression is a normal response to these major life stressors, but if you’re struggling, therapy can provide valuable tools for coping and help you navigate your way through the situation.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

We won’t really dwell too long on SAD as it rarely has many effects on Australians, as Oz tends to have a fairly even climate year-round. But still, it can’t be entirely ruled out, with some Australians experiencing bouts of SAD as the seasons change. Fortunately, if the symptoms are experienced, they usually end up being mild and don’t last very long.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Those suffering from depression experience physical and emotional symptoms. These are some common symptoms.

• Feeling sad, down, or hopeless for most of the day
• Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Feeling tired or lacking energy
• Difficulty making decisions or concentrating
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
• Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach problems
• Thoughts of death or suicide

What Are the Causes of Depression?

Depression can be caused by a combination of underlying factors that include:

• Genetics and family history of depression
• Imbalances in brain chemicals
• Changes or disruptions in hormonal levels
• Chronic stress, such as work-related stress or financial stress
• Trauma and abuse
• Chronic illness or chronic pain
• Relationship difficulties or social isolation
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Major life changes, such as the loss of a loved one or job loss

Of course, these factors do not always lead to depression, and not everyone who experiences them will necessarily develop depression.

It should also be recognised that there’s no single factor that causes depression, and it can be a combination of these different elements we’ve outlined. It can often be a Catch-22 situation, where one factor can lead to depression, and then the depression itself leads to other problems or vice versa.

It might be that someone with a substance abuse disorder, such as alcoholism, is already experiencing depression. The person may be looking for solace in alcohol, which can then lead to more severe depression and even suicidal thoughts. 

When to Seek Treatment 

Recognising depression in yourself or a loved one isn’t always a straightforward task. It’s very easy to brush off feelings of sadness and exhaustion as just normal responses to stress, missing the red flags that they may be symptomatic of a deeper problem.

Here’s when you should seek help:

• If you’re feeling persistently sad, down or empty for more than two weeks, especially if these feelings don’t lift or improve with positive events or experiences.
• If these feelings interfere with your daily activities – such as work, school or relationships.
• If you’ve lost interest in activities you once enjoyed, or if you’re avoiding social activities.
• If you’re experiencing physical symptoms such as significant changes in weight or appetite, sleeping issues, constant fatigue or unexplained aches and pains.
• If you’re feeling hopeless or helpless or have recurring thoughts of death or suicide.

Where to Seek Treatment