Since depression affects numerous individuals throughout their lives, it’s important to raise awareness about its signs and how to effectively manage it.
Understanding the difference between a temporary dip in mood and clinical depression is key to grasping the full spectrum of mental health. Depression is a recognised clinical condition that significantly hampers one’s well-being, affecting the ability to perform daily tasks, care for oneself and others, and posing a risk to brain health.
It’s normal to feel sad, frustrated, or disinterested occasionally, and to face moments of fatigue, sleep difficulties, or worry about the future. However, if these symptoms persist almost daily for two weeks or more, it could signal depression.
In such cases, we encourage consulting a mental health specialist. Many therapists offer online consultations, potentially reducing wait times. Should accessing a specialist be challenging, discussing these symptoms with your general practitioner (GP) can help outline the next steps toward managing your mental health effectively.