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 mental-health-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 mental-health condition in which people experience periods of depression and mania. Learn about its symptoms and treatment.
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.
Overcoming anxiety and depression
'Overcoming Anxiety and Depression' is an app created to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. It's suitable for all ages. Learn more here.
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
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 you’re a man with symptoms of antenatal depression or PND, don’t 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
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, it’s a good idea to seek help.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
Risk factors for perinatal depression - Partners to Parents
Find out what risk factors increase the likelihood that you will experience depression and anxiety during pregnancy or following childbirth.
Read more on Partners to Parents website
Postnatal depression: supporting a partner | Raising Children Network
If your partner is diagnosed with postnatal depression, you can help in many ways. It’s also very important to help your partner get professional support.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
MumMoodBooster - An Online Treatment For Antenatal Depression Compared To Best-practice Alternatives
MumMoodBooster is a Web-based treatment program designed for women experiencing postnatal depression.
Read more on MumSpace website
Is my partner OK? - Partners to Parents - postnatal depression
Are you wondering "Is my partner OK?" Find out how to recognise if your partner is experiencing depression or anxiety during pregnancy or following birth
Read more on Partners to Parents website
Perinatal Depression & Anxiety Explained | THIS WAY UP
Understanding the signs, symptoms and treatment options available for those suffering Perinatal Depression & Anxiety in Australia.
Read more on This Way Up website
Mum2BMoodBooster - An Online Treatment For Antenatal Depression Compared To Best-practice Alternatives
Mum2BMoodBooster is a Web-based treatment program designed for women experiencing antenatal depression.
Read more on MumSpace website
Top results
Perinatal Depression and Anxiety
Perinatal depression and anxiety are perhaps more common than what we may realise. It is listed as the most common complication of pregnancy, with 18% of women having depression during pregnancy and 19% during their first year postpartum.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
What is Depression / Major Depressive Disorder? | Ausmed
It’s human nature to feel down in the dumps, on occasion. Depression, however, is a diagnosable medical condition that presents in feelings of intense sadness, negativity and low-mood, lasting for a long period of time.
Read more on Ausmed Education 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
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
Psychostimulants for depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: There is some evidence that in the short-term, PS reduce symptoms of depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Relaxation for depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Relaxation techniques were more effective at reducing self-rated depressive symptoms than no or minimal treatment
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Family therapy for depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: The current evidence base is too heterogeneous and sparse to draw conclusions on the overall effectiveness of family therapy in the treatment of depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Folate for depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: The limited available evidence suggests folate may have a potential role as a supplement to other treatment for depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
