i do hope that we are more open about these sorts of things now. Many years ago you had families trying to hide any kind of mental illness.

I am prone to mild anxiety, I love that idea Melissa89.

I get bouts of depression and while mine is mild and I definitely understand how complex and debilitating it can be, what helps me is to be really easy on myself when I am feeling down. A therapist once told me that having a shoebox filled with things that make you feel better is great so when I am down I have a box which has lavender and mint tea, some lindt choc, a good uplifting book, potpourri which smells like musk, some effervescent magnesium tablets, an expensive face mask, a tiny sketchbook and a few other things which remind me to take time out for myself. I think this all stems back to mindfulness.

Quite a few of these seem applicable to someone close to me. It can be hard to find the right way to help.

This can be really hard to see in other people.

These are just some of the horrible symptoms of this debilitating illness. It really does take your life away. Exhausting.

Hopefully people are starting to feel more comfortable about seeking help.

Thanks for the tips. It’s timely as I have a sleep-deprived friend with a 7 month old baby. I suffered PND and quite clearly so looking over these points. However, I feel it’s easier for someone else to pick it up. When you’re in the midst of it, you just can’t see or think clearly enough. Thankfully, my husband saw the signs and took me to the Doctor. We were on the track to feeling better very quickly.

Also talk to friends / family too.

Very important to take these signs serious indeed and ask help to prevent to sink deeper. Important for us all to reach out to those who suffer under these symptoms as it can be very hard to ask for help for those who’re depressed.

that is an insane number of people here in Australia suffering and my bet is that is only the ones who have sought help for their depression and therefore have it recorded as such. I think in all honesty each of us suffers from depression in our own way. Lets hope this year that the people who need help with depression the most get the help they so need.

Beyondblue is such a wonderful organisation. Thanks for the list.

This is a good quick checklist for those needing a guide on whether they should take the next step and follow up with a gp or with help. Post Natal depression is not nice nor is any form of depression or anxiety.

It is always helpful to remind us about the depression feelings. It is very important that in case we need help to talk to someone, to find out earlier than later.