When Life Feels Heavy: Signs of Depression You Shouldn’t Ignore

Updated: 13 hours ago

Depression affects millions worldwide, yet many still struggle to understand what it truly means. It is more than just feeling sad or having a bad day. Depression is a serious mental health condition that impacts how a person thinks, feels, and handles daily activities. Recognising its causes, symptoms, and types can help those affected seek the right support.

Overview

Depressive disorder, commonly referred to as depression, is a prevalent mental health condition. It is characterised by a persistent low mood or a diminished interest or pleasure in activities over extended periods.

Depression differs from normal mood fluctuations and typical feelings about daily life. It can impact every facet of life, including relationships with family, friends, and the community. It may stem from or cause difficulties at school and in the workplace.

Depression can happen to anyone. People who have lived through abuse, severe losses or other stressful events are more likely to develop depression. Women are more likely to have depression than men.

An estimated 4% of the population experience depression, including 5.7% of adults (4.6% among men and 6.9% among women), and 5.9% of adults aged 70 years and older. Approximately 332 million people in the world have depression. Depression is about 1.5 times more common among women than among men. Worldwide, more than 10% of pregnant women and women who have just given birth experience depression.

In 2021, an estimated 727 000 people lost their lives to suicide. Sadly, suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15–29-year-olds.

Key Facts

Depression is a common mental disorder.
Globally, an estimated 5.7% of adults suffer from depression.
More women are affected by depression than men.
Depression can lead to suicide.
There is effective treatment for mild, moderate and severe depression

Contributing Factors of Depression

Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors. People who have gone through adverse life events (unemployment, bereavement, traumatic events) are more likely to develop depression. Depression can, in turn, lead to more stress and dysfunction and worsen the affected person’s life situation and the depression itself.

Depression is closely related to and affected by physical health. Many of the factors that influence depression (such as physical inactivity or harmful use of alcohol) are also known risk factors for diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases. In turn, people with these diseases may also find themselves experiencing depression due to the difficulties associated with managing their condition.

Symptoms of Depression

During a depressive episode, a person experiences a depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty). They may feel a loss of pleasure or interest in activities.

A depressive episode is different from regular mood fluctuations. They last most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.

Other symptoms are also present, which may include:

poor concentration
feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth
hopelessness about the future
thoughts about dying or suicide
disrupted sleep
changes in appetite or weight
feeling very tired or low in energy.

Depression can cause difficulties in all aspects of life, including in the community and at home, work and school.

A depressive episode can be categorised as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the number and severity of symptoms, as well as the impact on the individual’s functioning.

Self Care

Self-care can play an important role in managing symptoms of depression and promoting overall wellbeing.

What you can do:

try to keep doing activities you used to enjoy
stay connected to friends and family
exercise regularly, even if it’s just a short walk
stick to regular eating and sleeping habits as much as possible
avoid or cut down on alcohol and don’t use illicit drugs, which can make depression worse
talk to someone you trust about your feelings
seek help from a healthcare provider.

If you have thoughts of suicide:

remember you are not alone, and that many people have gone through what you’re experiencing and found help
talk to someone you trust about how you feel
talk to a health worker, such as a doctor or counsellor
join a support group.

If you think you are in immediate danger of harming yourself, contact any available emergency services or a crisis line

How Counselling Helps

Counselling plays an important role in supporting people experiencing depression by offering a safe and supportive space to explore emotions, identify unhelpful thought patterns, and build practical coping strategies. At Better You HQ Therapy and Counselling Clinic, I provide compassionate, evidence-based counselling tailored to each person’s unique needs. I draw on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), alongside emotion-focused and strengths-based strategies, to support meaningful and lasting change. Based in Mansfield, I work with adults, children, and families to help them feel understood, build resilience, and move forward with confidence

Taking the Next Step

If you or someone you know shows signs of depression, seeking help early is vital. Remember, depression is treatable, and reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Understanding depression’s causes, symptoms, and types empowers individuals to take control of their mental health. With the right support, including counselling, it is possible to regain balance and enjoy life again. If you feel overwhelmed, contact us to explore your options.

Depression affects millions of people worldwide and is treatable.

About Prue and Better You HQ Therapy and Counselling Clinic

Prue is an ACA registered and qualified child and family counsellor with a passion for helping children, parents and adults navigate emotional challenges. As the founder of Better You HQ Therapy and Counselling Clinic, she specialises in supporting neurodivergent children, anxiety, emotional regulation, and social-emotional development. With experience in education and a deep understanding of childhood mental health, Prue offers evidence-based, compassionate support to families.

Better You HQ provides in-person counselling in Mansfield, Victoria, and online services Australia-wide, including assessments, emotion coaching, and parent support. Prue believes that emotional skills can be taught and that every child deserves a roadmap to thrive