How to Tell if You Are Experiencing Depression (And What to Do)

Depression can be difficult to recognise, especially when you are used to carrying on through challenges without stopping to check in with yourself. In Melbourne and across Australia, many people silently struggle with low mood, disconnection, and exhaustion without realising they might be experiencing depression. Understanding the early signs is important because depression is highly treatable, especially when caught early.

Depression is more than just feeling sad. It is a persistent emotional state that colours how you experience yourself, your relationships, and the world around you. One of the first signs can be a deep sense of emptiness or numbness. You might notice that things you once enjoyed no longer bring you much pleasure. Hobbies, friendships, and even simple daily activities may start to feel meaningless or exhausting.

Another common sign of depression is a shift in energy levels. You may feel constantly tired, even after a full night’s sleep. Physical symptoms like changes in appetite, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, or physical aches without a clear cause can also be indicators. These signs are often overlooked, but they are part of how the body expresses emotional distress.

Negative self-talk can become more frequent with depression. You might find yourself stuck in loops of self-criticism, hopelessness, or feeling like a burden. It can also feel harder to imagine a future that excites you or feels achievable. If you have noticed these shifts in your thoughts or emotions for more than a few weeks, it may be time to reach out for support.

Therapy offers a safe and supportive space to explore these experiences. Working with a psychologist helps you not only understand the symptoms but also address the deeper emotional patterns that may be contributing to the depression. In therapy, we work together to build emotional awareness, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, and reconnect you with your own strengths and resilience.

A therapeutic approach might involve Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help reframe negative thought patterns, mindfulness to build emotional regulation skills, or psychodynamic exploration to uncover underlying wounds or unresolved grief. Every person’s experience of depression is unique, so therapy is always tailored to meet you where you are.

Taking the step to seek help can feel daunting, especially when depression tells you that nothing will change. But therapy provides the tools, support, and perspective needed to shift the emotional weight you are carrying. Healing does not happen overnight, but small steps create real movement toward lightness, connection, and hope.

If you are experiencing the signs of depression, know that you are not alone. Reaching out for support is an act of courage and self-care. Whether you are based in Melbourne or anywhere else in Australia, online therapy offers flexible, accessible help wherever you are. Together, we can work toward understanding your experience and helping you build a more connected, fulfilling life.