Depression

Feeling persistently low mood for a long period of time? Loss of interest in activities that you used to like to do? Fatigue or loss of energy? Feeling an overwhelming sense of hopelessness/helplessness? 

If you’re going through a period of unhappiness and feeling depressed, does that necessarily mean that you are suffering from depression?

Depression, otherwise known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a common and serious mood disorder which could impair your daily functioning.

How is Depression Different from Sadness?

Sadness is a normal emotion that all of us will experience at some point in his or her life. It could be over the loss of a relationship, the death of a loved one, loss of a job etc. With sadness, you might feel down for a while but eventually, you would still be able to resume your daily activities. More than feeling down or being sad, depression may affect a person’s interest in activities, work and quality of life.

Prevalence of Depression in Singapore

A study released by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in December 2019 found that “young adults are most at risk of suffering from mental disorders in Singapore. Those aged between 18 and 34 are more likely to have experienced bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and obsessive compulsive disorder.”

According to the 2012 Singapore Mental Health Survey, up to 5.8 per cent of people in Singapore have suffered from major depressive disorder in their lifetime.

Read more here.

Treatment for Depression

The good news is, depression can be treated, especially if help is sought early.If you think you or someone you care about may be suffering from depression, we encourage you to seek help from a mental health professional.

Depression is commonly treated with antidepressants and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is most effective for treating mild to moderate depression. Common forms of psychotherapy include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, supportive psychotherapy and interpersonal therapy.

Life Journey is here to journey with you through this difficult season together.

To read more about depression, click here.

deprexis®

deprexis® is a clinically-proven interactive online therapeutic support programme primarily based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques. It provides clients with a series of tailored sessions over 90 days, including information about the clinical situation of depression, proposes exercises, methods, and techniques.

deprexis® is a CE marked medical device registered with the Health Sciences Authority (Singapore), and has been rigorously evaluated in 12 randomised clinical trials (worldwide).

Contact Life Journey if you are interested to find out more. Thryve is the exclusive partner in Singapore for the sale of deprexis® to counsellors and clinical psychologists not affiliated with a psychiatry clinic.