OSHCstudents-We all have those days when it feels like you’re being followed by a dark cloud. The cloud hangs steadily over your head, making everything seem darker. When it all piles up, it can feel as though you’re being rained on! For most of us, the rain clears up and the cloud continues to float by, leaving you to enjoy the clear blue skies of life. But what happens when that dark cloud lingers on, and it’s seemingly raining more than not? Then you might be experiencing depression.
Read more:
- 5 mental health tips for international students when living in Australia
- The importance of mental health for international students in Australia
1. What is depression?
Depression is more than just feeling sad or having a cry. It involves a range of behavioural, emotional, and physical symptoms that last for a prolonged period of time, affecting your ability to perform daily tasks.
It’s a common mental disorder, affecting around 1 in 7 Australians at some point in their lives.
Depression can affect people of any age, gender, or culture, although the exact symptoms may vary.
2. Symptoms of depression
You may have heard of constant tears and feeling sad as signs of depression, but did you know depression can also look like irritability and aggression, or aches and pains?
Symptoms of depression may include:
- low mood, on more days than not, over a period of 2 weeks or longer
- loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy
- reduced energy or fatigue
- apathy or not caring much about anything
- crying often
- extreme irritability
- withdrawing from others
- over-eating or under-eating
- feelings of worthlessness
- self-harm or thoughts of self-harm
- sleep disturbances—either excessive sleeping or insomnia
- reduced ability to concentrate and focus
- lack of self-confidence
- excessive feelings of guilt, or pessimistic views of the future
- thoughts of death or suicide.
You may also experience physical symptoms including:
- headaches
- muscle fatigue
- stomach problems
- physical agitation.
These symptoms may occur regardless of your life circumstances, or the people you’re surrounded by.
3. Can depression look different in men and women?
Studies show women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men.
But research also shows women are more likely to seek help and support for their mental health, an important first step in treating the condition.
Statistically, men are more likely to put off seeking help for depression. In some cases, this might be because of social norms, where men believe they’re supposed to be strong and not show vulnerability.
Depression might present differently in men and women too. Women are more likely to dwell on their problems and link their depression to relationship issues. Women are also more likely to experience an anxiety or eating disorder, together with low mood.
When men are depressed, they may experience greater levels of irritability and anger, and have a higher risk of substance abuse and risk-taking behaviour.
Regardless of gender, age, and type of depression symptoms, the big factor is the impact on your life. If these symptoms are getting in the way of work, friends, family, and general health, then they cannot be ignored.
4. Getting help
There is no single experience of depression; symptoms can look and feel different for everyone.
But if you or someone you know experiences depression symptoms for 2 weeks or longer, it’s important to seek help.
Depression is not usually something that will simply just ‘go away’. The good news is, getting help as early as possible with the right management strategies and treatment can help get you back on track.
Your GP is often a great place to start, but confidential support is also available online or over the phone. If someone’s life is in danger, dial 000 (triple zero) immediately.
If you are international student, a foreigner arriving in Australia, or Australian citizen traveling abroad looking for OSHC, OVHC, travel insurance, please contact Annalink team at email info@oshcstudents.com and our partners for further information and assistance.
OSHCstudents Team (Source: Bupa)
