Do you have questions about the symptoms and types of trauma or how you can recover from a trauma? Contact us to receive personal advice and to explore treatment options at iPractice. Or read more about when to consult a psychologist and how to match with a psychologist.
Depression
When you’re dealing with depression, you feel down, experience little pleasure, and often lack the motivation to do things. It can feel like everything is too much and that you’re on your own. These symptoms often last for weeks or even months. Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe, and in some cases, it may last for years. It’s important to take depression seriously. If you’re unsure or concerned, always reach out to your general practitioner or a psychologist.
What is depression?
- Depression is a mental disorder that affects your feelings, thoughts and behavior.
- You speak of depression when the symptoms last longer than 2 weeks and they do not improve.
- It is a common disorder, nearly 20% of Dutch people have experienced or face depression at some point in their lives.
- Depression can be mild, moderate or severe and can sometimes last for years.
If you are depressed continuously between two years you speak of a Dysthyme Disorder. Then you experience long-term mild depressive symptoms.
Do you experience more severe symptoms? Or do you alternate between good and heavy periods? Then you have bipolar disorder. Find out more about the different types of depression.
⮕ Or read more about how depression develops.
You may also experience a one-time period of depression – this is called an “episode. Does such a period recur again? Then we call it recurrent depression.
How do you recognize depression?
The first signs of depression may be:
- You feel gloomy and listless;
- You feel a certain emptiness, indecision and uncertainty;
- You feel a lack of pleasure in things;
- You feel little to no motivation;
- You may sometimes experience feelings of shame;
How depression manifests itself is different for everyone. The symptoms of depression among young people differ from those in older people. Also, you may experience or express depression differently than others with depression.
Depression and negative thoughts
With depression, your view of the world and everything around you is gloomy. You tend to see mostly those negative aspects of yourself, others, the world and your future. Negative thoughts in depression can persist for a long time. It then feels as if you are in a vicious circle and the way out is difficult to see. This makes your mood even more gloomy.
What are symptoms of depression?
Besides the initial signs mentioned earlier, other common symptoms of depression can be divided into psychological and physical features.
Psychological symptoms of depression
Psychological and cognitive symptoms of depression may include;
- Feelings of anxiety
- Concentration problems
- Indecision
- Feeling that you are not worth anything
- Feelings of guilt
- Continuous worrying
- Thinking about suicide
Physical symptoms of depression
Physical symptoms of depression may include:
- Fatigue
- No energy to do anything
- No desire for sex; lower libido
- Changes in weight
- Much more appetite or much less
- Sleep problems
- Continuous feeling of restlessness
- Sluggish feeling in your body
What can you do?
- Talk about your depression with friends, watch your diet and stay socially active. Take care of yourself first, so you can take care of another person after that. Try these pieces of advice to deal with depression yourself.
- Does a loved one have depressive symptoms? Offer patience and space to your loved one and help with practical matters, such as making a schedule.
- Take depression seriously. Depression is a risk factor for sleep problems, insecurity and even, in severe cases, suicidal behavior.
- Not coming to terms with it yourself? There are several types of treatments for depression.
Help with depression
Do you have questions about depression? Or do you have doubts about when to consult a psychologist?
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Are you afraid that you won’t be able to break out of this negative spiral? Depending on your location, call one of the following numbers for immediate support:
- 116 123 (UK)
- 1-800-273-8255 (USA)
- 0900-0113 (The Netherlands)
Frequently asked questions
What if I don’t know whether it’s depression or just "a rough patch"?
Doubt is normal. Depression is recognized by the duration and intensity of symptoms like sadness, loss of joy, energy loss, and negative thoughts. In therapy, we help you clarify this.
What if I feel ashamed to seek help?
Shame is common with depression — often because you feel different from “normal.” But asking for help is a powerful act of self-care. You don’t have to do it alone.
How do I know if I need therapy?
If your symptoms affect your daily life and you can’t manage alone, therapy is a valuable step. Even if you still doubt, you can already start talking. You don’t have to be “sick enough.”
What if talking doesn’t feel like enough?
That feeling is understandable. Talking is often the start, but therapy is more than that. You actively work on recovery with exercises, insights, and behavioral change — tailored to your situation.
Can I do therapy if I’m taking antidepressants?
Yes, therapy and medication can complement each other. Medication can provide relief while therapy addresses the underlying patterns and causes. We coordinate this carefully with you.
Related symptoms
My partner has a depression
Depression is hard on the person experiencing it. But for a partner or loved one of someone with depression, it is also very difficult. How can you best deal with the depressive symptoms of someone you care about? How do you help someone, while continuing to take good care of yourself? Read more about how to live with a depressed partner or loved one.
Dysthyme disorder
Dysthymic disorder is a mild but long-term form of depression characterized by a gloomy mood for extended periods and multiple symptoms of depression. Thoughts such as ‘This is just how I am’ may arise, but nothing could be further from the truth. Learn to recognize chronic depression, understand how it develops, and discover what you can do about it.
Types of depression
Depression comes in many shapes and sizes. For example, some people experience long-term mild depressive symptoms, as is the case with dysthymic disorder. Meanwhile, other people struggle with severe depression, or go through alternating periods of highs and lows, as is the case with bipolar disorder. This means, that although depression comes up frequently, there are huge differences between how severe a depressive episode is and how long it lasts.
Postpartum depression
Giving birth to a child is always a significant event. In both positive and negative ways. Pregnancy hormones are rushing through your body. Your nights get shorter. And you’ve suddenly become a mother: It’s a huge responsibility. Sometimes the changes are so significant that the arrival of your child can lead to postpartum depression. Have you recognized symptoms of postpartum depression in yourself or your partner? Read on to learn more about postpartum depression and what you can do about it.
Cope with depression
When you suffer from depression, you are stuck in your own negative patterns. Breaking free of these patterns can be difficult. Acknowledging your depressive symptoms is the first step upward. Once you have reached the point of acknowledgment, you can try the tips below to deal with depression.
Depression treatment
I have depression, what now? When you are in the midst of depression and can no longer see for yourself how to get out of this negative spiral, professional help may be a solution. Timely treatment of depression is important. Read more about how to effectively treat depression and the different therapies.