Depression – the facts

Depression is a common condition which is not always identified and diagnosed and affects men, women and young people. Depression is more than feeling sad or stressed.
There are a range of behavioural, psychological and physical symptoms that, when experienced together for more than two weeks, may indicate you are depressed. These include:
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Struggling to get things done at work
- Difficulty concentrating
- Struggling to find things you enjoy
- Feeling overwhelmed, sad, frustrated, guilty and indecisive
- Feelings of failure and worthlessness
- Chronic tiredness
- Weight gain/loss
- Digestive problems
- Getting sick all the time
- Poor sleep
It’s important to realise that we all experience some of these symptoms at some time, so seeking further support and advice is important. Your GP is a good place to start.
The unique factors and experience that can affect farming life can contribute to the development of depression and may also mean it goes untreated. These can include:
- Being in the habit of ‘working it out yourself’, which makes it difficult to seek help when it’s difficult to cope.
- Isolation and limited access to services.
- Finding it difficult to approach local health workers because you may know them socially.
- Practical issues to do with leaving the farm to seek help.
- Financial, climate related and other pressures that may seem insurmountable.
- Particularly for rural women, isolation, exhaustion and postnatal depression are some of the most common contributing factors to poor mental health.
Learn to recognise the symptoms so you seek help when you need it.
Rural issues – alcohol and depression
There is a strong link between excessive alcohol consumption and depression. Self-medication with alcohol is a common, but unsafe and ineffective coping strategy for farmers and other people living in rural and remote areas. Alcohol only masks the symptoms of depression and stress, and can make you feel worse. Support services can assist country people to find other ways to tackle depression.
Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel
References used for this topic page
More information:
beyondblue
beyondblue
beyondblue
Men in rural and remote areas – What causes anxiety and depression in men?
beyondblue
Man Facts – Guide to Mind Health
Black Dog Institute
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD)
MindSpot
Online assessment and treatment for depression
Clinical care:
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD)
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Australian and New Zealand clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of mood disorders
Research & reviews:
British Medical Journal (BMJ)
Clinical review: managing and preventing depression in adolescents
Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
The mental health of people on Australian farms
World Health Organization (WHO)
Last updated: 14th February, 2019