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Having feelings of depression and

anxiety from time to time is part

of being human. However, when

these feelings seriously affect your

day-to-day life, they may mean

you have depression or an anxiety

disorder, so it’s good to know that

effective treatments are available.

It’s important to get help as soon

as possible, so that treatment can

be started. When you’ve started

treatment, it’s useful to keep

talking to family or friends – having

someone you know and trust being

aware of your situation can be a

big help.

GETTING HELP

The frst step in dealing with depression or

anxiety is talking to someone about it. Some people

think that it’s weak to admit that they’re going

through a tough time. But i you have depression

or an anxiety disorder, you can’t just ‘snap out

o it’ or ‘pull yoursel together’. Keeping it to

yoursel only makes things worse. Start by talking

to someone you trust – maybe a parent, teacher,

school counsellor, amily member or riend.

They can help you decide what to do next.

I you’re unsure i you need treatment, seeing aGeneral Practitioner (GP) is a good way to start.

I you are having requent thoughts o wanting to die,

you should speak to someone about this immediately.

GPs are used to recognising and treating common

health problems, including depression, anxiety

disorders, alcohol and drug concerns, amily hassles

and medical issues. They can help you to work out the

best ways to cope with how you’re eeling and make

a plan to get through it. I needed, they can also reer

you to an expert in treating mental health problems,

such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.

KNOWING WHENTREATMENT IS NEEDED

Everyone eels down or worried sometimes.

It can be hard to recognise i you have

depression or anxiety, let alone whether

you might need help to get better.

It’s a good idea to talk to someone i or

MORE THAN TWO WEEKS you have:

•feltsad,downormiserable,orirritablemost o the time

•lostinterestorenjoymentinyourusual activities

•feltanxious,tenseornervousmostofthetime

•feltfearfulorworriedallthetime

•beenexperiencingfrequentpanicattacks (or elt constantly worried that you will have one).

Other symptoms o depressionand anxiety include:

•notdoingsowellatwork/study

•changesinyourrelationshipswithfamily and riends

•havingtroublefallingorstayingasleep

•feelingrestless,keyeduporonedge

•beingforgetful,losingconcentrationand being easily distracted

•becomingwithdrawnandlosingfriends

•losingorgainingweightquickly

•feelingunwell,withunexplainedaches and pains

•avoidingactivitiesorplacesforfearof 

causing an a panic attack.

TREATMENTSFOR DEPRESSIONAND ANXIETY

 Visit:  www.youthbeyondblue.comIno line: 1300 22 4636beyondblue: the national depression initiative 

PAGE 1 OF 2Youthbeyondblue Fact sheet 4

I you have specifc concerns that you want to talk 

through, there are counsellors who specialise in

particular issues such as amily issues, school and

careers, alcohol and other drugs, pregnancy and abuse.

I you need to talk to someone right away or don’t eel

ready to see a counsellor or doctor, you could try telephone

counselling services, which are available ree or or the

cost o a local call, or online counselling (some numbers

and websites are listed at the end o this act sheet).

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KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

•Sometimespeoplesetgoalsthatarehardto achieve. Try to set goals that are achievableor you, even i it’s on a day-by-day, or hourby-hour, basis. And remember to rewardyoursel too.

•Thinkofsomephysicalactivitiesyouenjoy (e.g. walking, cycling, swimming), start slowlyand build up your level o exercise. Try a ewdierent ways o staying active so you don’tget bored.

•Psychologicalandfamilytherapiescanonly help you i you play your part by going to yourappointments, being open with your counsellorand ollowing the plan you both decide is bestor you. It may take time and eort, but it willhelp you to recover.

•Keeptalkingtoyourfamily,doctorand counsellor about how you’re eeling andwhether your treatment is working or you– i it isn’t, don’t give up. You can trysomething else.

05/09

 Visit:  www.youthbeyondblue.comIno line: 1300 22 4636beyondblue: the national depression initiative 

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WHAT KINDS OF TREATMENTSARE AVAILABLE?

Psychological and family therapies

(also called talking therapies) are the

main treatments for depression and

anxiety in young people.

Two psychological therapies have been ound to be

especially helpul – Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

(CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). These therapies

can help you to change your negative thoughts and

eelings, get involved in activities again and stop your

depression or anxiety rom coming back later in lie.

Other ways to tackle depression and anxiety, such as

stress management and tips to improve your sleep

patterns, can also be helpul.

The use o antidepressants or people under 18 years is

not recommended. However, i your depression is very

severe or other treatments haven’t worked, your doctormay discuss the use o antidepressants or you. When

antidepressants are used, it’s important that you see your

doctor regularly to monitor your progress, and that you

continue with other orms o treatment such as talking

therapies and sel-help (see Youthbeyondblue

Fact sheet 5 – Antidepressants for the treatment 

of depression in children and adolescents  ).

There are also alternative treatments, such as herbal

remedies. A ew o these have been somewhat eective

in adults – especially when their depression isn’t severe

and they’re not in danger o harming themselves. It’s

important to realise that there’s been no good research

done on the eectiveness o these treatments or young

people and that a lot o them have side-eects and mayinterere with other medications you’re taking.

SELF-HELP

 Along with seeking treatment to manage depression and

anxiety, looking ater yoursel on a day-to-day basis will

help your recovery. Even though you might not eel l ike

eating, ood can play a vital role in maintaining mental

health as well as physical health. Eating regular meals

and a varied, nourishing diet can improve your sense o

well-being. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Although it may seem

that they help you to eel better, the eeling is temporary

and the ater-eects usually make the problem worse.

Keepingactivecanhelpyoustayphysicallytandmentally healthy. It can help lit your mood, help you get

a good night’s sleep, increase your energy levels, help

block negative thoughts and distract you rom your

worries, and increase your well-being.

Taking time out to relax is also a good idea and may

reduce the level o stress you are eeling. Try to take a

bitofeachdaytodosomethingyouenjoy.Whenyou

are eeling down it may be hard to be social or motivate

yoursel to do things. It may help to make a list o all the

thingsyouenjoydoingandthenplantodosomething

rom this list each day. Learning to identiy and solve

your problems can also be very helpul.

SOURCES This act sheet is based on inormation rom:

n beyondblue www.youthbeyondblue.com and www.beyondblue.org.aun Reach Out! www.reachout.com.au

MORE INFORMATIONAND SUPPORT

 You can speak to trained counsellorsby phoning these 24-hour telephonecounselling services:

Lieline 13 11 14 (cost o a local call)

Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800 (reecall)

Inormation and support is also availablerom the ollowing websites: 

beyondblue   www.youthbeyondblue.comor www.beyondblue.org.au

Inormation on depression, anxietyand how to help a riend

headspace www.headspace.org.au

Inormation, support and help near you

Reach Out! www.reachout.com.au

Inormation and support or young peoplegoing through tough times

The websites below can help you to fnd health

services in your area. They list services that areeither ree o charge or low cost:

Kids Help Line www.kidshelp.com.au

Lieline Service Finder www.lifeline.org.au/service_nder

I you or a riend want to communicate withsomeone via email or online, Kids Help Lineoers confdential, non-judgemental, emotionalsupport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.