Depression
What a liberation to realize that the ‘voice in my head’ is not who I am. Who am I then? The one who sees that
Life can be hard and feeling sad or down is a natural part of being human.
But if these feelings turn into lasting hopelessness and despair, it’s likely a sign of something more significant. Depression often sneaks up on us, until one day we realize there’s much more going on. It can impact not only the way we feel, but how we think and act.
Common experiences:
- Ongoing depressed mood for weeks or months
- Feeling hopeless, helpless or worthless
- Persistent negative thoughts
- Losing interest in things you normally enjoy
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Difficulty coping with everyday activities
- Crying a lot
- Low energy or fatigue
- Physical aches or pain
- Loss or increase in appetite
- Withdrawing from friends or family
- Not being able to pay attention, concentrate or make decisions
- Thinking of death, suicide or self-harm
Depression can interfere with everything – from school and work, to family and relationships. According to the World Health Organization, it affects more than 300 million people around the world. The good news is there are many effective ways to treat it. Together, you and Jennifer can develop a plan to overcome your symptoms and regain control of your life.
Did you know? More than 50 per cent of people diagnosed with depression also struggle with anxiety?