More Than Moody.
Could It Be Depression?

Feeling Low?
You’re Not Alone

About Depression

Depression is a common mental health condition that causes people to experience depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.

Depression is not a sign of personal weakness, failure, or laziness. It is not caused by possession of a spiritual force, it is not contagious, or a sign that someone is going crazy. It is a complex health condition caused by social and biological factors.

 

Every…

1 in 10

Malaysians experience depression.

Women are…

50%

more likely to experience depression than men.

Around…

10 Malaysians

end their own lives every day.

Around…

20%

of Malaysian teens experience depression.

Symptoms

The clearest indicators of depression are feeling low, irritable, miserable, and/or not enjoying or being interested in usual activities for two weeks or more. This low mood and/or loss of interest often leads to changes in behaviours, one’s physical state, and the way a person sees themselves and the world.

How It Works

  • Fast
    Fast

    It takes only a few minutes to assess your emotional health.

  • Easy
    Easy

    Just answer a short set of questions about yourself and how you are feeling. At the end, you will receive some suggestions on what to do next.

  • Confidential
    Confidential

    We won't ask for any personal identifiable information so all your answers will remain anonymous.

  • Respond

    Answer a brief set of questions about how you have been thinking or behaving.

  • Results

    Get information about your mood and behaviors.

  • Recommendations

    Get recommendations on what to do next.

Mental health is a key part of your overall health. Brief screenings are the quickest way to determine if you should connect with a mental health professional.
Take this quiz to find out more.

Start the Quiz
Mental Health Quiz

Causes

What causes depression? The simple answer is that the causes of depression are different for everyone. There are many factors which can cause someone to experience depression and often a combination of things lead to depression. However, the causes of depression can generally be split into two main categories:

Those which are internal to the person (such as biological factors and negative thinking styles), and those which are external to the person (such as a stressful work environment, or interpersonal conflict).

The Impact of Depression

161 574

healthy life years lost to depression а year.

48 months

delay before people get help for depression.

1 000 000

RM is the cost of depression in Malaysia every year.

Myths About Depression

Myth About Depression: Antidepressants are addictive

“Antidepressants are addictive.” 

Many people may not want to take antidepressants because they are concerned that the medication is addictive and lifelong.

In fact, depending on your history of depression, antidepressants may be recommended  for only 6 months to 2 years more after you start feeling better to prevent a relapse. Antidepressants can be stopped. However, you need to do it gradually to minimize discomfort.

The recommended treatment for moderate to severe depression is a combination of both psychotherapy and medication to significantly improve recovery and prevent relapse. In fact, psychotherapy itself is as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression!

Rest, Eat, Activity and Love (REAL)

“Of all the alternative and lifestyle treatments for depression, vitamins are likely to be the most helpful.”

Other than medication and psychotherapy, there are lifestyle changes that you can make to help you feel better. Unfortunately…vitamins have not been shown to improve mood. It is back to the basics – Rest, Eat, Activity and Love (REAL).  

Rest: Sleep 7 to 9 hours a day. 

Eat: Have a diet of good nutritious food with a high intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fish. 

Activity: Exercise 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week.

Love:  Surround yourself with people who care for you and can support you during the good and bad times. Enjoy and celebrate with others’ positive emotions through empathy.

 

Myth About Depression: Most people with depression need to be hospitalised

“Most people with depression need to be hospitalised.”

Most treatments for depression take place outside of the hospital. Only a small percentage of people with depression need to be hospitalized, which may include having severe depression that needs more intensive care or having other mental health conditions that need urgent treatment. 

Types of Depression

It’s normal to feel down once in a while, but if you’re sad most of the time and it affects your daily life, you may have clinical depression. It’s a condition you can treat with medicine, talking to a therapist, and changes to your lifestyle.

Major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder

You may hear your doctor mention that you have “major depressive disorder”. This is the most common form of depression and is characterized by feeling depressed and/or loss of interest or pleasure, lasting most of the day, for most days for at least two weeks.

Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents

Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents

Depression can happen at any age. The prevalence rate of depression tends to be low in younger children, but increases significantly in adolescents. While depressive symptoms are often similar in children and adults, some children and adolescents may report feeling very irritable instead of sadness when depressed.

Peripartum depression

Peripartum depression

About 3-6% of women experience symptoms of major depression during pregnancy or in the four weeks following delivery. This is known as major depressive disorder with peripartum onset. Many women with peripartum depression also experience severe anxiety and panic attacks.

Persistent depressive disorder

Persistent depressive disorder

Some people may experience a more chronic form of depression called persistent depressive disorder (also known as dysthymia). The depressed mood lasts most of the day, for more days than not, for at least 2 years for adults and at least 1 year for children and adolescents.

Start the Quiz to identify the Depression

These signs and symptoms will affect the way you live your daily life. From the way you relate to family and friends, to your performance at work and your capacity to carry out your responsibilities, depression cannot be glossed over for long.
Take this quiz to find out more.

Start the Quiz
  • Respond

    Answer a brief set of questions about how you have been thinking or behaving.

  • Results

    Get information about your mood and behaviors.

  • Recommendations

    Get recommendations on what to do next.