Anxiety and depression are not the same, although they can be experienced at the same time. If you are experiencing five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or longer, you could be dealing with depression*

You may be:

• Persistently sad, gloomy and prone to crying spells
• Disinterested in activities, friends or family
• Feeling helpless and hopeless
• Tired, lacking in energy, and/or experiencing sleep challenges
• Overwhelmed and in despair
• Feeling worthless and consumed by guilt
• Finding it hard to concentrate and function at work/college/school
• Eating significantly more or less than usual
• Experiencing a loss of sex drive and/or sexual problems
• Considering or inflicting self-harm
• Having recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

It can be hard to acknowledge feelings of depression, but please know that a diagnosis is not the end of your world; it can be the beginning of a new one.

* In our clinical experience, we recognise that children will show different symptoms.

There are many factors that could contribute to feelings of depression. These include, but are not limited to:

• A trigger such as divorce, illness, loss of a job, or death of a loved one
• Postpartum depression, history of trauma, or PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder)
• Existing mental health conditions, like a personality disorder, bipolar affective disorder, psychosis or a family history of depression
• Loneliness, low self-esteem, and a background of mental or emotional stress
• Hidden influences, like a hormonal imbalance, individual biochemistry, medication, and nutritional deficiencies
• Spiritual emergency: a sense of crisis from a period of intense spiritual growth or deep loss of purpose

Whatever the causes are, we are committed to working with you to identify and address them. Depression is treatable: there is always hope, no matter how bleak the landscape of your mind may seem.

Traditionally, antidepressants are used to treat depression, alongside psychological support. Anti-depressants are designed to balance chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain that affect mood and emotions. However, depression is not always the result of a chemical balance. This means that while antidepressants may help some; it may hinder others.

At IMI, we recognise that treating depression is highly individual and complex. The most appropriate approach is a personalised approach.

Which is why our integrated approach looks at you as a whole person. We work with you to acknowledge and address the seven different factors that may be impacting your mental wellbeing and contributing to your depression.

Meeting you where you’re at, we will put in place a tailored plan to help you rise again, and we will empower you with tailored approaches to sustain your mental health. It's about finding what's right for you.

Here are some of the main services that underpin our approach to depression.

Counselling, psychotherapy and clinical psychology
Our highly experienced psychologists and counsellors are committed to working – respectfully, compassionately, and at a pace that works for you – to understand the root of your depression and find ways to help you cope. Counselling and psychotherapy can provide you with a safe space to explore your thoughts, feelings and emotions deeply, freely and without judgement, or bias.

For mild depression, counselling and talking therapy may offer appropriate support. If your depression is more complex, is connected to a pre-existing mental health condition, history of trauma, or has been diagnosed as clinical depression, we recommend clinical psychology or psychotherapy. These provide a more structured and depth approach to support you to navigate the complexities of your depression.

Naturopathy
Our naturopaths can run tests in order to rule out physical complications. Gut imbalances, thyroid malfunction, acute or chronic stress reactions, allergies, drug or alcohol abuse and dependence, recent surgery, and PMS can all contribute to depression.

A naturopath may also suggest ways to adjust your current diet and exercise regime in order to support your recovery. Studies prove that exercise is as good as antidepressants in alleviating some symptoms of depression.

Our naturopaths may prescribe herbal and dietary supplements to treat deficiencies that may contribute to depression.

Acupuncture, osteopathy and craniosacral therapy
These skilled therapies and many more that we offer work to soothe the body and mind. Through gentle hands-on work, these therapies help to re-establish the flow of subtle energy rhythms, bringing balance to body and mind.

It may take time and patience to recover, but you won’t be alone. We will work hand-in-hand with you to support you to rise from depression with more strength, insight, healing and clarity.