Suicide is a silent and deadly killer in Australia and the United States. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses that lead to suicide.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is also called a major depressive disorder or clinical depression. Depression affects your emotions, thinking, and behaviour and can lead to emotional and physical problems. One can download an app for tracking mood and energy to know how they feel. This new technology is a complete blessing for millions of people worldwide, especially for those who suffer from mood swings or depression.
According to the Mental Health Commission, over 500 deaths by suicide were recorded in Western Australia, around 300 of which occurred in Perth. One in five Australians between the age of 16 and 85 suffer from some form of mental illness.
As the alarming numbers continue to rise, the MHC and many private institutes strive to battle this invisible plague that relentlessly claims lives.
How Can You Detect Depression?
Depression is a medical condition and this condition can be pre-diagnosed by your medical doctor before you can get tested by a psychologist. In general, symptoms can be considered depression if exhibited by patients for at least three weeks.
It should be time to look for a trusted psychologist in Perth if you find yourself or a loved one exhibiting some of the most common signs of depression. These include reluctance, withdrawal from social activities, lack of interest, sadness, and sleeping disorders.
However, the long list of symptoms can go on depending on the severity of the depression. There are several kinds of depressive disorders and disorders linked to depression that mental health professionals can help you diagnose and treat.
The Most Efficient Way to Treat Depression
The first thoughts that come to one’s mind when it comes to treating depression are therapy and specific medications using antidepressant drugs. If you find you have a severe case, a combination of both is a good way to keep yourself on track. In general, depression can be treated through regular counselling and psychotherapy. You can tackle your emotions and behaviour through regular sessions with counsellors, and based on their recommendations, consult with psychiatrists who can recommend appropriate medication.
The difference between psychotherapy and counselling is this: counselling is usually considered short-term, dealing with pressing or immediate issues, while psychotherapy is best considered for long-term assessment of your psychological history. Either way, finding a trained psychologist in Perth can help you find which treatment is most convenient for you.
However, both treatments are done by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist.
Counselling to Treat Depression
If you have been suffering due to depression for quite some time, it may be necessary to consult a mental health professional. If you don’t have access to or aren’t personally ready for psychologists and psychiatrists, regular counselling is a good way to address mild to chronic depression.
Counsellors can help you find good solutions for the small to big things that you struggle with daily. They can help you sort out what problems to tackle first to help deal with your issues in the long run.
If you have been suffering due to depression for quite some time, it may be necessary to consult a mental health professional. If you don’t have access to or aren’t personally ready for psychologists and psychiatrists, anxiety and depression counseling is a good way to address mild to chronic depression. Small group sharing can become long-term support groups headed by your counsellor.
With regular sessions, your counsellor can track your progress and best help you find activities or interests that might become motivations for you. They can focus on your behaviour and related emotions and work backwards to find what factors weigh most on your depression.
Relying on drugs and medication alone without counselling can have effects as adverse as addiction and dependency. Even if you decide to undergo medication, your counsellor can help you monitor its effects on your body and behaviour and help you find and maintain a regimen that works for you.
The bottom line
People living with depression might feel hopeless all the time. It’s important that awareness about this medical condition and the many ways it can be mitigated and treated is spread to destigmatize the condition and get sufferers the help they need. Counselling services should be widely available and accessible to everyone.
Author’s bio: Ester Adams is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.
