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Symptoms Of Depression

By Mosh
Treat Mental Health
5 min read
Medically reviewed by:

Key Takeaways

Depression is a medical condition that affects many people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma surrounding this condition that makes it hard for men and women to seek help.

At Mosh, we understand the challenge these symptoms presents as they can make it difficult to go about with daily activities and hinder how you function normally. We want to help you receive the personalised mental health support you need. 

Let’s answer your questions surrounding ‘What is depression?’

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What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression can cause a wide range of symptoms, including feeling hopeless and worthless, having low energy, changes in sleeping and eating habits, guilt, and physical symptoms like headaches and body aches.

Depression is a treatable disorder, often manifesting in persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how one feels, thinks, and behaves and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. One may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities as there seems to be very little to look forward to in life.

Symptoms include: 

  • persistent sad, anxious, or ‘empty’ moods;
  • feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism;
  • irritability;
  • angry outbursts, irritability, or aggressiveness;
  • loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed;
  • sleeping too much or too little, early-morning awakening;
  • eating too much or too little;
  • loss of energy or fatigue;
  • moving or speaking more slowly;
  • feeling restless or having trouble sitting still;
  • difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions;
  • persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain;
  • unexplained aches and pains; and
  • thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.

The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person and they also vary over time. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please reach out to a Mosh doctor to receive help in identifying these symptoms and evaluating whether treatment plans are necessary.

How early do symptoms of depression begin to show?

TThere is no one answer to this question, as symptoms of depression can begin to show at different times for different people. However, they typically start to appear during adolescence or young adulthood. While the exact cause of depression is unknown, it is commonly thought to be the result of a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors.

Additionally, some people may only experience symptoms during certain periods of their lives, while others may experience them more consistently. Our doctors at Mosh aim to help those suffering from symptoms of depression get to the root of their problems.

That said, there are some general patterns that researchers have observed when it comes to the onset of depression. For example, depression is more likely to occur in people who have a family history of this condition. People who have experienced trauma or other major life stressors are also at increased risk.

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be experiencing depression, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional like those at Mosh for help. 

What is the most common symptom of depression?

A few questions people ask a lot are ‘What are the symptoms of depression?’, and ‘What does depression feel like?’ and Mosh is here to help answer them. Symptoms can vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. The most common symptom of depression or clinical depression symptoms is a persistent low mood for over two weeks.[1] Those with depression can also experience a loss of interest in activities that used to bring pleasure, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Not many people know this, but depression can also have several physical effects, like a general feeling of being unwell. It can also cause aches and pains, headaches, and digestive problems. Depression can make it difficult to remember things and make decisions. Physical symptoms of depression can also include insomnia, early morning waking, and loss of appetite or increased appetite.

One of the most severe depression signs is thoughts of death or suicide. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional.

At Mosh, we offer different treatment plans to help those exhibiting symptoms and signs of depression and even symptoms of stress.

The first is a therapy-based treatment that includes online, confidential 50-minute sessions with same-day availability. As our goal is to make sure you feel comfortable and that your doctor is the right one to help you, you’re free to change your therapist at any time. Should you have any sudden changes in plans, you can reschedule your session up to 24 hours before.

The second is a medication-based treatment, including an online doctor consultation with ongoing check-ins. If necessary for your situation, your medication will be delivered to you as you need them. You can also expect to enjoy free express (and discreet) postage no matter where you are in Australia and easy online script renewal.

You may also receive a treatment plan that is a combination of both medication and therapy if needed. Rest assured, our doctors will only recommend treatment courses they think are absolutely necessary for your case.

We also provide one-on-one therapy sessions with a registered therapist with same-day and after-hours availability, as you may need someone to talk to at unexpected times. Be rest assured that confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us.

How are depression symptoms treated?

Depression symptoms are usually treated with a combination of medication and therapy. Medication can help to stabilise mood and alleviate some of the symptoms of depression, while therapy can provide tools and techniques for coping with the condition and working towards recovery. 

Some people may benefit from medication, while others may find relief with therapy or a combination of both. Working with a mental health professional is important to figure out what treatment plan is right for you.

Medications that are commonly prescribed for depression work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, which can help improve mood. On the other hand, psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for depression. It can help people to identify and transform negative thought patterns and develop healthy coping mechanisms. 

For those with prescribed medications, you will need to check in with your Mosh doctor after the first, third, and sixth months and every six months after that. A doctor's appointment can also be scheduled as needed.

With Mosh, you can bulk bill psychologist sessions with a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). If you are interested in obtaining an MHCP, please book an extended appointment with your local doctor, so they can fill in all the relevant paperwork. Afterwards, you can request a referral to a Mosh Platform Psychologist.

You may also check with your private health insurance to see if it covers psychology sessions. In case it does, you may be able to claim a rebate on sessions with us by requesting a receipt at [email protected].

At Mosh, we have individually vetted all our fully-qualified Australian psychologists, and we offer registered and clinical psychologists with a wide range of specialities. This being said, we can help you with a lot of other conditions or questions you may have, such as ‘What is generalised anxiety disorder?’, ‘How to know if I have depression?’What causes depression?’ or even ‘What to say to a friend who is depressed?’

All you need to do to get started is fill out a questionnaire detailing your current state of mind, personal information, and medical history. Afterwards, wait for your personalised treatment plan to be sent over. 

Don’t be afraid to seek help for symptoms of depression.

Our goal at GetMosh is to make treatment affordable, accessible, and normal – especially for conditions like depression, which can be difficult for men to discuss.

It is important to have a mental health care plan in place to access treatment and help manage your symptoms. If you have any questions or concerns, the best way to connect with us is through email at [email protected], our support forum, or live chat.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression, set up an online doctor’s consultation with Mosh today.


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Mental health

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