Jenny is 62 years old and has been driving the past 12 years.
Jenny lives alone and had very limited social contacts during COVID. She isn’t confident using social media and didn’t participate in any on-line/zoom social activities during lock down. Jenny takes the runs that no one else wants as she believes “I’m no good, I don’t deserve a good run”.
Jenny’s co-workers fail to notice that she has stopped turning up to the Friday sausage sizzle and hasn’t attended work social events since lockdown has stopped. Jenny has told her boss “Can you write that down? I’m having some trouble remembering everything”.
Jenny has depression.
Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. It is treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed. Depression can look different for everyone.
Depression Physical Symptoms
- Tiredness or loss of energy
- Changes in sleep patterns (trouble sleeping or sleeping too much)
- Weight fluctuations (either up or down)
- Changes in appetite
- Backpain, headaches, joint or limb pain
- Digestion problems or belly pain
- Slowing of physical movements
- Inability to sit still, pacing or handwringing
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Trouble concentrating
Depression Emotional Symptoms
- Feeling sad or persistent (greater than 2 weeks) low mood
- Feeling numb, empty or overwhelmed
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Loss of interest of pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
- Irritability
- Taking unnecessary risks
- Thinking about death or suicide
There are different types of depression, and everyone’s experience is a little different – to learn more about the types and treatments for depression, please click on our depression fact sheet.
DOES ANY OF THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
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It sounds a bit like me – I AM Jenny
