Depression

Depression is a mental illness that is defined by a drop in your emotions. People suffering from depression struggle to find interest or joy and often feel low, apathetic, and hopeless over a prolonged period of time.

What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

• Feeling sad most of the time
• Feeling anxious or “empty”
• Feeling hopeless or helpless
• Feeling unnecessarily guilty
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Waking up too early or oversleeping
• Change in your eating patterns and/or your weight
• Less energy than usual, tired all the time, feeling “slowed down”
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Suicide attempts Restlessness, irritability, or anger
• Struggling to concentrate or remember
• Easily distracted and difficulty problem solving
• Physical symptoms that don’t respond to treatment, such as headaches, stomach pain, back pain, chest pain even if you have had it checked by a doctor

When experiencing these signs or symptoms regularly, for prolonged time frames, or experiencing more than one of these at a time, seeing a therapist can be a good idea to help you understand the best options moving forward to care for your mental wellbeing. You can book an appointment with one of the COPE therapists here.

What are the common misunderstandings of depression?

Depression should not be confused with normal periods of feeling down or discouraged, or confused with grieving a loss – everyone experiences some of these symptoms at some point, and they usually pass within a few days or weeks or once a specific situation has passed. The symptoms of depression are often long-lasting, consistent, and affect the way you do your daily tasks.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts and ideas, it is important to seek professional assistance as soon as possible. You can reach out to us on our 24 hour help-line: