SERVICE

DePRESSION

The term “feeling depressed” gets thrown around so often that its lost its true meaning. True clinical depression is much more than just feeling sad - it’s a mood disorder that persists, impairing someone’s everyday life and functioning.

What is DEPRESSION?

To be diagnosed with depression, several symptoms need to have been present for most of the time over the past two weeks. Common symptoms may include low mood, irritability, loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, social withdrawal, trouble sleeping, fatigue, feeling worthless or excessively guilty, appetite changes, poor concentration and memory, or having suicidal thoughts.

WHAT HELPS REDUCE DEPRESSION?

There is hope. Depression is one of the most successfully treated mental health conditions.

• Psychological therapies: A psychologist can help you understand what’s behind your depression, what keeps it going, and what practical skills may help you overcome it.

• Medications: Severe or chronic depression may benefit from the additional antidepressants. Therapy is still recommended to help you build lasting skills to manage and prevent depression in the future.

• Lifestyle changes: Just like a car needs the right fuel, our body thrives on healthy habits. Regular exercise, good sleep, balanced nutrition, reducing stress, and avoiding alcohol and drugs can make a big difference.

What Causes DEPRESSION?

1 in 5 Australians will experience depression in their lifetime. It doesn’t have one single cause but is thought to result from stress interacting with certain vulnerability factors, such as:

• Genetics

• Stressful life changes

• Lifestyle factors (e.g. drugs, alcohol, poor nutrition, inactivity)

• Negative thought patterns

• Medical conditions

• Early experiences of loss

• Anxiety

What’s the next step?

• Chat with your GP: Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling. They can then rule out underlying medical conditions, like hypothyroidism, which may be causing the depression, or write you a Mental Health Care Plan to see a psychologist.

• Reach out: Reach out to supportive friends and family, and resist isolating yourself - it only worsens the depression.

• Small steps: Take small, manageable, healthy steps each day - drink more water, call a friend, or take a short walk. These small actions can build motivation and mood.

• Be kind to yourself: Be patient and kind to yourself.

FURTHER FACTS ABOUT DEPRESSION

• Psychological therapy and lifestyle changes are the best first-line treatment for mild and moderate levels of depression. For more severe and chronic cases, a combination of medication and therapy may be used. Whilst medication addresses biological factors, therapy teaches long-term coping skills to prevent relapse.

• In addition to Major Depressive Disorder, there are also other types of depression, such as Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, and Substance/Medication Induced Depressive Disorder, to name a few.

• Children and adolescents may exhibit irritability rather than low mood when depressed.

• Depression can present differently across cultures, sometimes showing up as physical symptoms like stomachaches or other bodily pains, rather than emotional ones.

• Depression and anxiety often go hand-in-hand and both need to be treated for a full recovery.

• Many people, even those that seem happy, become expert “maskers” of their depression. If you’re struggling, you may not be as alone as you think.

• Medication can take 6-8 weeks to start being effective and not every antidepressant may be right for you. It’s important to work closely with your doctor and give honest feedback to find what works best.

HELPFUL Resources

  • The Centre for Clinical Interventions https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself

  • This Way Up (free resource with a GP or psychologist referral) https://thiswayup.org.au

  • MiiND (free interactive mental health platform for young people) https://miind.org.au

More information ABOUT DEPRESSION

Helpful apps

  • Smiling Mind

  • Headspace

  • MindDoc

  • Beyond Now Safety Planning

  • ACT Companion: Happiness Trap

24/7 HELPLINES - Phone and web-based crisis counsellinG

our team

you’re in good hands

Our team of psychologists are highly trained and qualified to support you on your well-being journey. Each psychologist holds at least a master’s degree and is committed to ongoing professional development, ensuring the highest standard of care. Beyond their professional skills, they are genuinely wonderful individuals who love what they do, creating a warm and welcoming environment for all.

Laura Scherman, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Full Life Psychology, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, Psychology Services

Laura Scherman

Principal Clinical Psychologist

  • BPsychSc (Hons), MPsych(Clin), MAPS

    Founder and Director of Full Life Psychology, Laura leads a unified, skilled team of compassionate therapists dedicated to helping people live a meaningful and FULL LIFE.

    In her own clinical work, Laura values building strong therapeutic relationships with her clients and creates a warm, nurturing, and respectful space where people feel safe to freely talk through the challenges they are facing and to learn ways to better navigate them. Laura wants her clients to feel seen and heard and to know that they matter. Evidence-based therapies Laura uses include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, and more recently, Eye Movement Desentisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. Laura works with clients aged 16 and up and has supported people from diverse backgrounds, such as working professionals, students, pastors and leaders, retirees, police officers, new parents, and more, always respecting their personal values and goals.

    Areas of interest include:

    • Anxiety

    • Self-worth

    • Burnout

    • Adjustment issues

    • Resolving historical behaviour patterns

    • Women’s mental health

    • Health in leadership

    • Faith and psychology

    Laura has experience presenting to groups of people in various educational and church settings.  She lives on the Sunshine Coast with her husband and two children, and in her free time enjoys conversations with loved ones, creativity, traveling, and new experiences.

Carmen Fourie, Provisional Psychologist, Full Life Psychology, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, Psychology Services

Carmen Fourie

Provisional Psychologist

  • ba-psych(hons), MPROFPSYCH

    Carmen is a warm and caring Provisional Psychologist committed to supporting individuals of all ages in navigating mental health challenges. She is particularly passionate about working with young people, helping them find their way forward and teaching them practical skills to overcome difficulties. Her creative approach includes explaining complex concepts visually and interactively. She also finds great joy in facilitating group programs.

    Over the past two years, Carmen has developed the MiiND Platform, a free interactive mental health resource for young people, and has been leading the Hot Chocolate Circle group therapy program for teenage girls. Through these initiatives, she has gained valuable insights and a deep understanding of the best evidence-based practices for guiding individuals on their mental health journey.

    Her areas of interest include:

    • Anxiety disorders (e.g. Social Anxiety, Generalised Anxiety)

    • Stress

    • Depression

    • Building psychological resilience

    • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

    • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

    • Managing interpersonal relationships (e.g. resolving friendship conflicts).

    • Faith and psychology

Diana Trim, Provisional Psychologist, Full Life Psychology, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, Psychology Services

Diana Trim

Provisional Psychologist

  • BSc, bed, gdippsych, bpsychsc(hons), mpp, assoc maps

    Diana brings a wealth of life and professional experience to her role as a Provisional Psychologist, having worked extensively in education, business and ministry. Her past leadership roles as a School Principal, business owner, team leader, manager, educator and pastor, have helped hone her unique set of skills, and enables her to connect well with a range of people of different ages and backgrounds.

    Diana loves to help people better understand how their mind works and to work with it, not against it, so that they can better navigate whatever obstacles they are facing and to cultivate their best life. Diana creates a safe and supportive environment for people to be able to open up and more comfortably discuss their experiences and challenges.

    Diana is integrative and collaborative in her approach, and uses evidence-based therapies, customised to the individual situation. She is able to provide services in English, Afrikaans and Dutch.

    Her areas of interest include:

    • Anxiety and panic

    • Depression

    • Life transitions

    • Immigration challenges

    • Grief and loss

    • Workplace stress

    • Working in education

    • Psychological assessment

    • Faith and psychology