Understanding Depression: How It Develops, What Keeps It Going, and How to Heal
Depression is far more than feeling sad or “down.” It’s a whole-body experience that affects how we think, feel, and function day to day. For many people, it can feel like life has lost its colour, motivation fades, and even simple tasks start to feel overwhelming.
At Be Anchored Psychology, we help people make sense of what they’re experiencing — not as weakness or failure, but as a signal from the mind and body that something deeper needs care and support.
This post explores how depression develops, what keeps it going, and the evidence-based pathways to recovery.
What Is Depression?
Depression involves a persistent low mood or loss of pleasure in things that once brought joy. It often comes with changes in sleep, appetite, energy, and concentration and can make it hard to connect with others or feel hope about the future.
Different Types of Depression
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Intense episodes of low mood, loss of interest, and reduced functioning that can last weeks to months.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): Milder but long-lasting low mood, often persisting for years, gradually affecting energy, motivation, and daily functioning.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depressive symptoms that occur at specific times of the year, commonly during winter months when daylight is reduced.
Postpartum Depression: Triggered by hormonal and life changes after childbirth, affecting mood, energy, and maternal bonding.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): Severe depressive, irritability, or anxiety symptoms that occur in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, typically resolving after menstruation begins.
Understanding which type of depression you’re experiencing helps guide treatment, ensuring therapy, lifestyle strategies, and support are tailored to your needs.
Depression doesn’t have a single cause. It develops through a mix of biological, psychological, and social factors — which means it’s never “all in your head.”
How Depression Develops
Depression often emerges when vulnerabilities meet stress — when our internal capacity to cope is overwhelmed by external pressures.
Common contributing factors include:
Biological vulnerability: Family history of depression, hormonal changes, or brain chemistry differences.
Early life experiences: Childhood trauma, neglect, or emotionally inconsistent caregiving can shape how we respond to stress later in life.
Personality and thinking patterns: Perfectionism, self-criticism, or a tendency to ruminate (overthink and replay distressing experiences).
Environmental and social stressors: Ongoing stress, relationship breakdown, grief, isolation, or workplace burnout.
Depression is not a sign of weakness — it’s a sign that your system has been under strain for too long.
What Keeps Depression Going
Once depression takes hold, it can create a self-reinforcing cycle that’s hard to break without support.
Maintenance factors often include:
Withdrawal from activities and people — leading to less pleasure and reduced motivation.
Unhelpful thinking patterns — such as self-blame, hopelessness, or believing nothing can change.
Sleep and appetite disruption — which affect energy, concentration, and emotional regulation.
Physical depletion — low movement, poor nutrition, or overreliance on substances can worsen fatigue and mood.
Isolation — relationships can feel harder to maintain, further reducing connection and support.
Therapy often focuses on gently disrupting these cycles and reintroducing movement, structure, and connection in sustainable ways.
When It’s Time to Seek Support
Many people wait until they feel completely overwhelmed before reaching out for help — but therapy can be most effective when it’s used as a space for understanding, not just crisis management.
Talking with a psychologist provides the opportunity to explore what’s been keeping you stuck, learn practical tools for managing mood, and begin reconnecting with meaning and motivation.
At Be Anchored Psychology, therapy isn’t just about “fixing” symptoms — it’s about helping you understand your experiences, build emotional flexibility, and develop sustainable ways to care for yourself.
Evidence-Based Treatments for Depression
Recovery looks different for everyone, but the good news is — depression responds well to evidence-based treatment.
Common therapy approaches include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns while building more adaptive coping strategies.
Behavioural Activation: Focuses on re-engaging with meaningful activities to lift mood and restore motivation.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Explores how relationships and life transitions impact mood, helping rebuild connection and support.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages people to notice and accept their inner experiences without judgment, connect with their values, and take committed action toward a meaningful life — even in the presence of difficult thoughts or emotions.
Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Support awareness, self-compassion, and less identification with negative or self-critical thoughts.
Other helpful supports:
Medication: Antidepressants can be effective, especially for moderate to severe depression, and are best combined with therapy.
Lifestyle foundations: Sleep, nutrition, hydration, exercise, and sunlight exposure directly influence brain function and emotional resilience.
Social connection: Regular, authentic connection helps counteract isolation and fosters a sense of belonging.
At Be Anchored Psychology, we integrate these approaches to support both the mind and body — helping clients rebuild motivation, energy, and connection at a pace that feels right for them.
How Common Is Depression?
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in Australia.
Around 1 in 8 Australians will experience depression in their lifetime.
Each year, roughly 8% of adults experience an affective disorder (including depression).
Depression can affect anyone — but it’s more likely to develop after major life stress, chronic illness, or periods of isolation.
While these numbers can feel daunting, they also remind us of something important: you are not alone, and depression is treatable.
(Sources: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023)
How Depression Affects Daily Life
Depression doesn’t just impact mood — it affects thinking, energy, motivation, and relationships.
You might notice:
Difficulty making decisions or concentrating
Feeling tired even after rest
Withdrawing from social interactions
Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
Feeling detached, numb, or disconnected
Over time, untreated depression can affect physical health, increase stress hormones, and make it harder to access positive emotional states. Addressing it early makes recovery faster and more sustainable.
Taking the Next Step
Recovery from depression is possible, and it often starts with understanding your experiences and taking small, intentional steps.
At Be Anchored Psychology, we combine evidence-based therapies with practical strategies for daily life to help you rebuild motivation, resilience, and connection.
You don’t have to face this alone — contact us today to start moving toward a life that feels fuller and more balanced.