Depression and Mood Disorders Treatment

Feeling sad or down occasionally is a normal part of life, but when these feelings persist and interfere with daily activities, it can indicate a more serious issue, such as depression or another type of mood disorder. At Ramsay Mental Health, we understand the complexities of these conditions and are here to support you on your path to recovery.

What are Depression and Mood Disorders?

Mood disorders encompass a range of conditions that affect your emotional state, including depression, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia. These conditions can cause significant emotional distress, and affect your ability to function in everyday life.

Common Symptoms of Depression and Mood Disorders

Symptoms can vary widely, but common signs can include:

Persistent Sadness: A continuous feeling of hopelessness or despair.
Loss of Interest: A diminished interest in activities you once enjoyed.
Changes in Appetite: Significant weight loss or gain due to changes in eating habits.
Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much.
Fatigue: An overwhelming sense of tiredness or lack of energy.
Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
Feelings of Worthlessness: Harsh self-criticism or guilt.
Thoughts of Self-Harm: In severe cases, thoughts about harming yourself or others.

For those with bipolar disorder, these symptoms may alternate with symptoms of mania, such as periods of heightened energy, euphoria, reduced need for sleep, or impulsive behaviour.

Depression

Feeling sad or down from time to time is a normal part of life. However, some people experience intense sadness and low mood that is difficult to shake. This is called depression.

People with depression may experience poor sleep, a lack of motivation or interest, and a feeling of emptiness or numbness. These feelings interfere with their daily lives, making it difficult to do things they would otherwise enjoy.

Different people will experience depression in different ways, and as such treatment for depression will vary from person to person.

Treatment options

Treatment can be very effective at reducing or eliminating the symptoms of depression. Medication may be an important element of treatment. However, research suggests that a combination of medication, psychological therapies and support programs can lead to the best outcomes for some types of depression.

Ramsay Mental Health offers a broad range of psychiatry and psychology treatment services for depression that can be tailored to meet your needs, including: