Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.
All about depression
Depression is a medical condition during which people experience long periods (2 weeks or more) of an abnormally depressed mood with a loss of interest and decreased energy.
Symptoms of depression include emotional symptoms such as a loss of interest in normal activities, feeling sad, down, empty or feeling worthless. Physical symptoms of depression include feeling tired or run down.
People with depression may face stigma or find it difficult to talk about their mental illness. There are, however, specific things you can do if you are helping or caring for someone with depression.
Head to Health, an online gateway funded by the Australian Government that can help you find free and low-cost, trusted phone and online mental health resources, including information about depressive disorders. Or find out more below.
Depression - symptoms, types, treatment
There’s more to depression than ‘the blues’. If you’re sad for weeks, lack energy or no longer enjoy things you used to, you could be depressed.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a condition where people experience periods of depression and mania. Learn more about bipolar and how to seek treatment here.
How to deal with depression
Telling people you have depression and getting help is not easy, here's some ways to manage your illness. Find out more about dealing with depression.
How to help someone with depression
It's not easy to know how to help someone with depression. Learn to recognise the signs, how to talk to someone with depression and where to get help.
Melancholia (melancholic depression)
Melancholia is a type of depression, sometimes referred to as melancholic depression. Read more about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment here.
Sadness
We all feel down sometimes, but if feelings of sadness or worry last more than 2 weeks, it may be a sign of depression or other mental condition.
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Depression: Postpartum | HealthEngine Blog
Postpartum or postnatal depression is a common mental health problem for new mothers. It is depression in the months following child birth.
Read more on HealthEngine website
Postnatal depression (postpartum depression) | HealthEngine Blog
Postpartum depression refers to debilitating and disabling mood disturbance after childbirth. It affects 10-15% of mothers following birth.
Read more on HealthEngine website
Depression during pregnancy and the postnatal period
Perinatal depression refers to depression that occurs during pregnancy or the postnatal period and affects 15–20 per cent of women in Australia.
Read more on Black Dog Institute website
Antenatal and postnatal depression - men's experiences
A few fathers experienced depression or anxiety during a partner’s pregnancy or in early parenthood. For some, prior experiences of depression or anxiety resurfaced during this period, though not all men with past experiences of depression went on to experience antenatal or postnatal depression.
Read more on Healthtalk Australia website
Perinatal depression | Depression | ReachOut Australia
When someone has perinatal depression, they experience a range of symptoms. There are a range of things you can do to help manage your symptoms.
Read more on ReachOut.com website
Antenatal & postnatal depression in men | Raising Children Network
Men can get antenatal depression and postnatal depression. If youre a man with symptoms of antenatal depression or PND, dont ignore them seek help.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
Contributing factors for postnatal depression or anxiety
Contributing factors for postnatal depression or anxiety
Read more on Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) website
Understanding antenatal and postnatal depression
Mothers, as well as a few fathers, who experienced postnatal or antenatal depression (whether diagnosed or self-identified) or significant distress or anxiety over the perinatal period gave a range of explanations of what they understood perinatal depression to be, and discussed the reasons they thought they or others experienced it.
Read more on Healthtalk Australia website
Antenatal & postnatal depression: women | Raising Children Network
Antenatal depression and postnatal depression are more than pregnancy ups and downs or baby blues. If you have symptoms, its a good idea to seek help.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
Experiences of medication for antenatal and postnatal depression
Perinatal depression is most commonly treated via psychological or counselling therapy, medication, hospitalisation, or a combination of one or more of these.
Read more on Healthtalk Australia website
Top results
Depression during pregnancy and the postnatal period
Perinatal depression refers to depression that occurs during pregnancy or the postnatal period and affects 15–20 per cent of women in Australia.
Read more on Black Dog Institute website
What Australians know about perinatal depression and anxiety
In late 2009, beyondblue: the national depression initiative conducted a national survey to investigate how the Australian community perceives perinatal (ante- and postnatal) depression and anxiety disorders. The purpose of the research is twofold.
Read more on beyondblue website
Psychosocial and psychological interventions for treating antenatal depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: The evidence is inconclusive to allow us to make any recommendations for interpersonal psychotherapy for the treatment of antenatal depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Psychosocial and psychological interventions for preventing postpartum depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Overall, psychosocial and psychological interventions significantly reduce the number of women who develop postpartum depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Perinatal depression and anxiety: Evidence relating to infant cognitive and emotional development
Managing perinatal depression and anxiety is important for maternal, as well as infant, wellbeing.1 Persistent maternal stress, depression and anxiety can result in detrimental effects on infant development, both during pregnancy and postnatally.
Read more on beyondblue website
Psychosocial and psychological interventions for postpartum depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Although the methodological quality of the majority of trials was, in general, not strong, the meta-analysis results suggest that psychosocial and psychological interventions are an effective treatment option for women suffering from postpartum depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Depression
Depression is a mood state that is characterised by significantly lowered mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that are normally enjoyable. Such depressed mood is a common and normal experience in the population. However, a major depressive episode can be distinguished from this `normal’ depression by its severity, persistence, duration, and the presence of characteristic symptoms (e.g., sleep disturbances).
Read more on CRUfAD – Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression website
Perinatal depression and anxiety
A guide for primary care health professionals
Read more on beyondblue website
Perinatal Depression and Anxiety
Document and learn online with Ausmed's online portfolio and organiser app. All countries and health professions supported. Free to document, subscribe to learn.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Symptoms of depression
Depression is a common experience with one in seven Australians experiencing depression in their lifetime. We all experience periods when we feel low and a bit depressed. Experiences such as having a bad day at work or hearing some bad news can impact on our mood. Sometimes we can even feel sad for no reason at all.
Read more on Black Dog Institute website
