The shifting nature of depression

Depression can feel and look different depending on our age and stage of life. This can make it challenging for us to recognize symptoms of depression. For example, adolescent depression may look like behaviours that are dangerous or risky, feelings of disconnection, or the use of drugs or alcohol to cope with daily life. For adults, depression can look like sudden irritability, feeling numb or brain fog. Older adults may experience depression as feelings of sadness, guilt or regret, or difficulty concentrating.

No matter the symptoms, one thing’s for sure. Depression is not a normal part of aging, regardless of your age. Depression can affect our thoughts, our feelings, our bodies and our relationships. Some days it may be hard to imagine ever feeling better.

Depression is a treatable illness that often does not get better on its own. It can affect every aspect of your life. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Depression can happen to anyone, and can be caused by life’s events, such as divorce or death, a change of season, or even moving to that dream location and beginning that dream job. Depression doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. Many people develop depression and don’t know why.

Psychotherapy can help you understand how stress, relationships, events and the systems that we live in can all contribute to depression – and steps that you can take to reduce its hold on your life. Moving depression out of your life can work best with a tailored approach to treatment, such as individual therapy to help you get back on track, groups that may help with depression like Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy or Emotion Focused Mindfulness Therapy, or including other health professionals in your life such as your primary care physician.

Depression can be helped with personalized care by caring and compassionate professionals with specialized knowledge – I hope this blog encourages you to reach out for the support you deserve!