Many people think depression only involves sadness, however it can present in many different ways. Some individuals experience deep emotional pain and hopelessness, while others describe feeling emotionally numb, detached, exhausted, or disconnected from themselves and the people around them. Some people continue functioning outwardly while privately struggling to cope internally.

People experiencing depression often report:

• Low motivation or lack of enjoyment in activities
• Fatigue and emotional exhaustion
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Increased irritability or frustration
• Withdrawal from family, friends, or social situations
• Negative self-talk, guilt, or feelings of worthlessness
• Feeling stuck, hopeless, or emotionally overwhelmed

Depression can develop gradually or emerge following stressful life experiences, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, burnout, chronic stress, parenting pressures, or major life changes. In many cases, people become so focused on surviving day-to-day responsibilities that they do not realise how much they are struggling until things begin to feel unmanageable.

One of the biggest barriers to recovery is the belief that people should simply “push through” or cope on their own. Unfortunately, this often increases shame and isolation, making symptoms worse over time. Seeking support is not weakness — it is an important step toward understanding what is happening and beginning the process of healing.

Counselling can provide a supportive and non-judgemental space to explore emotional experiences, identify patterns contributing to depression, and develop practical strategies to improve wellbeing. Therapy may focus on emotional regulation, improving routines, reducing self-criticism, strengthening coping skills, processing difficult experiences, and reconnecting with personal values and meaningful relationships.

Recovery from depression does not always happen through large dramatic changes. Often, progress begins with small consistent steps — building structure, reconnecting socially, improving self-care, learning healthier coping strategies, and developing greater emotional awareness and self-compassion.

At LIFE ENHANCED THERAPIES, I work with clients in a compassionate and practical way to support emotional wellbeing, reduce distress, and help people feel more connected, balanced, and hopeful about the future.

Depression is more than simply feeling sad or having a bad week. It can affect energy, motivation, sleep, concentration, relationships, appetite, confidence, and overall enjoyment of life. Many people experiencing depression describe feeling emotionally flat, disconnected from themselves, or stuck in patterns they cannot seem to change.

Depression can also look different from person to person. Some people withdraw socially and isolate themselves, while others continue functioning outwardly but feel exhausted internally. Irritability, low patience, guilt, hopelessness, and feeling emotionally overwhelmed are also very common experiences.

One of the biggest challenges with depression is that it often convinces people they should be coping better or that asking for help is a burden to others. Over time, this can increase isolation and make symptoms worse.

Counselling can provide a safe and supportive space to explore what may be contributing to depressive symptoms while developing practical strategies to improve emotional wellbeing, daily functioning, and self-understanding. Therapy may involve building healthier routines, learning emotional regulation skills, improving self-talk, processing difficult experiences, and reconnecting with meaningful goals and relationships.

At LIFE ENHANCED THERAPIES, I work with clients in a compassionate and practical way to help them better understand their emotional experiences and move toward feeling more balanced, connected, and hopeful.

About Me

Michaela Rizqallah is a counsellor at LIFE ENHANCED THERAPIES, supporting individuals through challenges including depression, stress, burnout, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. My approach is compassionate, practical, and focused on helping clients feel understood, supported, and empowered to create meaningful change. To make an appointment or enquiry, contact LIFE ENHANCED THERAPIES on 0400391779.

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What is depression? 

Clinical depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent depressed moods, loss of interest in activities, and a general lack of pleasure in life. Depression symptoms can also include physical symptoms such as disrupted sleep, intense fatigue, appetite affects (such as overeating or starving), and an inability to concentrate. Another unfortunately common effect of depression is ideation or actions of self-harm or suicide.  

To be diagnosed with a depressive disorder, a person must experience these symptoms for 2 weeks or more, and a variety of criteria will determine the disorder a person is diagnosed with. 

Common depressive disorders include: 

• Major depressive disorder: the most common type and includes experiencing the above symptoms for at least 2 weeks to a degree that impairs daily function. 

• Persistent depressive disorder: is a chronic low mood with less intense but longer lasting symptoms that major depressive disorder. 

• Bipolar: alternating states of severe depression and mania in which a person will swing between super high highs and really low lows.  

• Seasonal affective disorder: a form of depression that is triggered by environmental factors, primarily the time of year and weather.  

Who does depression affect? 

Depression can affect anyone, irrespective of age, gender, culture, etc. depression is very complex in its onset with no single clearly defined cause. Naturally experiencing traumatic events are a major contributor to experiencing depression, however negative interactions between biological, psychological, and environmental factors also build up and increase risk of developing a depressive disorder. Most people with a depressive disorder will experience onset between their late teens and early adulthood (15-28) however there are of course people in every age group that struggle with depression.  

How can depression be treated? 

Common treatment for depressive disorders include methods such as therapy, medication, and specialist treatments, depending on the needs of the patient.  Examples of therapy can include practices such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and focus on treating the problematic behaviours associated with depression. Medications vary depending on the needs of a patients and will be prescribed after consultation with a psychiatrist. Generally, medications will aim to balance the brain chemicals that may be part of the depressive symptoms.   

Depression can make the world feel smaller, heavier, and harder to move through, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. With the right support, things can shift. Reaching out, even when it feels difficult, can be the first step toward feeling lighter, steadier, and more like yourself again. 

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We need people to gather around us and be our tribe

It sounds like an ideal solution, but unachievable right? That’s because we may be relying on the wrong tribe. We expect our family to be that tribe. However often they don’t meet our expectations or actually help us how we need or want help. They help their way, which is nice and they mean well, but not always beneficial.

So where do we obtain this elusive, beneficial tribe? A tribe that builds us up, keeps us going when all seems lost, a tribe that gets us?

• Start by looking at the people around you. Who do you think would be a good fit, a good friend, someone you could make a mutually beneficial relationship with.
• Foster the friendships where you think, “that person get’s me.”
• Begin modelling to those in your tribe how you would like to be treated.
• Reduce the time you spend with every-draining or toxic friends/family and set boundaries in place to ensure they don’t get you down.

When you build the right tribe the rest begins to follow. But beware, like all good things it takes time, effort and work. A good tribe won’t just fall into your lap, you’ve got to work for it.

xx Michaela R

Life is for living, not existing.

Michaela is lead counsellor at LIFE : ENHANCED THERAPIES, Counselling Service, Bundaberg. She offers general counselling face to face and online and has a deep passion to see people get the most out of their life, find balance and connect with the person they want to be. She loves helping people with mental illness work towards health and wellbeing life.

Check out her webpage @ https://www.lifeenhancedtherapiesbundabergcounselling.com

FB page @ LIFE : Enhanced Therapies, Bundaberg. Registered, professional counsellor

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