Defined Terms and Documents      'Aboriginal Teenager Life Skills' RTV Social Inclusion Early Intervention Programme 

Mild Depression means a mental state which often goes undiagnosed because many people do not consider the symptoms to be 'bad enough' to discuss them with their GP or family member/friend.

According to The World Health Organisation, Mild Depression includes 2 of the first three below symptoms, and at least 2 others:

  • Two weeks of an abnormal depressed mood 

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable 

  • Reduced energy, or feeling tired

  • Loss of confidence and Self-esteem

  • Feeling guilty and unworthy

  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or any suicidal/self-harming behaviour

  • Reduced ability to think or concentrate 

  • Agitated or slow movements

  • Disturbed sleep (not enough/too much/poor quality)

  • Change in appetite (increase or decrease) with weight change

  • Decreased libido

  • Unexplained physical symptoms

Mild Depression may be felt as an ongoing constant state (aka dysthymic disorder), it may be a brief period (such as 3-4 weeks) or it may be episodic and reoccur at varying intervals.
 

Accurately diagnosing Mild Depression and early treatment can prevent the condition from worsening.  There are also a wider range of options to manage Mild Depression and prevent its recurrence.

There are very few data from general practice studies to guide us, however there seems to be no evidence to support the use of anti-depressants in Mild Depression. Psychological strategies, St John's wort (a plant with yellow flowers used for centuries for health purposes, such as for depression and anxiety) and self-help strategies may be of assistance to patients with Mild Depression.

An approach that allows people to ventilate their concerns and have them validated, combined with self-help strategies, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy programmes or exercise programs, may be of most assistance to treat Mild Depression.