Depression

What is Depression?

Depression, also known as mate pāpōuri, is a mental health condition that can change the way you feel, think and function from day to day. It is different from experiencing a temporary low mood after a difficult week or upsetting event. Symptoms tend to persist and can begin to affect relationships, work, study, sleep, motivation and enjoyment of everyday life.

For some people, depression develops following a stressful experience or major change. For others, there may be no single event that explains why they are feeling this way. Biological factors, physical health, personal circumstances, previous experiences and family history can all play a part.

Depression can also look different from one person to another. Persistent sadness is a common symptom, but some people notice irritability, emotional numbness, exhaustion or a loss of interest in things they previously enjoyed. Others may initially notice changes to their sleep, appetite or ability to concentrate.

Because there is no single experience of depression, the appropriate response begins with understanding the individual. A healthcare professional can assess your symptoms, how long they have been present and whether another physical or mental health condition could be contributing.

Depression can range from mild through to severe, and its impact can change over time. Someone may still be going to work and keeping up with responsibilities, only to find that doing so requires significantly more effort than it once did. For another person, symptoms may make ordinary daily activities feel extremely difficult.

You do not need to wait until depression becomes severe before discussing what you are experiencing. Seeking support earlier provides an opportunity to understand what is happening and consider the forms of care most appropriate to your circumstances.

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social Anxiety Disorder affects everyone differently. Some people experience anxiety only in specific situations, such as public speaking or performing in front of others, while others feel anxious during everyday interactions, such as making phone calls, meeting unfamiliar people or expressing their opinions in a group.

Recognising the impact these symptoms are having on your daily life is often the first step towards seeking appropriate support. Working with qualified healthcare professionals can help you better understand your symptoms and determine the most appropriate approach to your care.

How do I know if I need medicines for depression?

Everyone experiences difficult periods, and feeling sad does not automatically mean you have depression. What is important is the pattern of symptoms, how long they persist and the extent to which they are changing the way you live.

It may be worth speaking with a healthcare professional if changes to your mood, thinking or behaviour are continuing for weeks rather than days, particularly when they are making everyday responsibilities or relationships harder to manage.

Experiences that may warrant further assessment include:

Feeling persistently low, empty or hopeless
Losing interest in hobbies, relationships or activities you usually enjoy
Finding it increasingly difficult to motivate yourself
Withdrawing from friends, family or social activities
Struggling to concentrate, make decisions or complete everyday tasks
Feeling unusually irritable or frustrated
Experiencing persistent guilt, worthlessness or negative thoughts about yourself
Finding that work, study or relationships are becoming increasingly difficult

Symptoms of Depression

Depression can affect both mental and physical wellbeing. Symptoms vary considerably between individuals and may change as the condition progresses.
These may include:

Ongoing sadness or low mood
Loss of pleasure or interest
Changes in appetite or eating patterns
Sleeping much more or less than usual
Persistent tiredness or reduced energy
Difficulty concentrating or remembering information
Moving or speaking more slowly, or feeling unusually restless
Unexplained aches, headaches or other physical discomfort
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
Thoughts about death, suicide or self-harm

Experiencing some of these symptoms does not by itself confirm depression. An assessment with a qualified healthcare professional is important because other mental and physical health conditions can produce similar symptoms.

How common is Depression?

Depression is common and can affect people at any stage of life. New Zealand health information estimates that around one in six people experience depression at some point in their lifetime.

Although depression can affect anyone, individual experiences and circumstances vary considerably. Some people experience a single period of depression, while others have recurring episodes that require longer-term management.

Recognising persistent changes in mood and functioning, rather than dismissing them as something you simply need to push through, can be an important reason to seek appropriate assessment and support.

How is Depression commonly treated?

There is no universal approach for depression. The appropriate approach depends on factors such as symptom severity, previous episodes, physical and mental health, current medicines, personal circumstances and how depression is affecting daily life.

Psychological therapies are an important part of evidence-based depression care. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one commonly used approach and can help people identify patterns of thinking and behaviour that may be contributing to their symptoms. Other forms of counselling and psychotherapy may also be recommended depending on individual needs.

Lifestyle changes can form another part of a broader management plan. Regular physical activity, maintaining consistent sleep routines, social connection and other wellbeing strategies may be helpful, particularly alongside appropriate clinical support. It’s important to note that lifestyle changes should not be considered a substitute for medical assessment when symptoms are persistent, worsening or severe.

Antidepressants are commonly considered for moderate to severe depression and may be used alongside psychological therapy and lifestyle measures. There are several types available, and selecting a medicine depends on the individual, including other health conditions, medicines, previous responses and potential side effects.

People who are already taking antidepressants should speak with their prescriber before changing their dose or stopping treatment. Antidepressant medicines generally need to be reduced gradually under medical supervision rather than stopped suddenly.

Evidence-Based Care

Depression rarely fits neatly into a single box. Alongside changes in mood, you may be dealing with anxiety, disrupted sleep, persistent pain, low energy or other symptoms that are having their own impact on your day-to-day life.

This is why CannaPlus+ takes a whole-health approach to medicinal cannabis.

Our doctors look at what you are experiencing as a whole, including your physical and mental health, current medicines, previous treatments and the symptoms you most want support with. From there, we can explore whether medicinal cannabis could be a useful addition to your treatment plan.

For some patients, medicinal cannabis may provide another option when looking at their wider health needs. It can be considered alongside existing depression care, with treatment tailored to the individual and medically supervised by an experienced CannaPlus+ doctor.

Book a consultation

Current Evidence

Research into medicinal cannabis and mental health is continuing to develop. While there is currently limited high-quality evidence specifically establishing medicinal cannabis as a primary treatment for depression, research continues to explore cannabinoids and their potential role across a range of symptoms and health conditions.

Depression often occurs alongside other concerns, including anxiety, sleep difficulties and persistent pain. Looking at these symptoms together can give a doctor a much more useful picture of what you are experiencing and where medicinal cannabis could potentially fit.

At CannaPlus+, we don’t look at a diagnosis in isolation. We consider the person behind it.

Research and studies

Natural Treatment for Depression

If you’re exploring a natural treatment for depression, medicinal cannabis may be an option worth discussing with a doctor.

You might be looking for another approach because your current treatment isn’t addressing everything you are experiencing. You may be managing depression alongside anxiety or disrupted sleep. Or you may simply want to understand whether medicinal cannabis could have a place in your wider treatment plan.

These are all worthwhile conversations to have.

A CannaPlus+ doctor can review your symptoms, health history, current medicines and previous treatments before discussing the medicinal cannabis options that may be appropriate for you. Where medicinal cannabis is suitable, your doctor can develop an individual treatment plan and provide ongoing medical oversight as your treatment progresses.

Medicinal cannabis can affect people differently, which is why personalised prescribing and follow-up are important. Your doctor can consider the type of medicine, cannabinoid profile and other clinical factors when determining an appropriate approach for your circumstances.

If you are already receiving treatment for depression, medicinal cannabis can be considered as an addition to that care rather than requiring you to choose one approach over another. You should continue prescribed depression medicines unless changes have been discussed with the healthcare professional responsible for your treatment.

Book a consultation

Is a consultation with CannaPlus+ appropriate?

People come to CannaPlus+ with different treatment histories. You may have only recently begun seeking help for your symptoms, or you may already be receiving care from a GP, psychologist or psychiatrist and want to discuss your wider health and available options with a doctor.

During your consultation, our doctors will ask about your symptoms and how they are affecting your life. Your broader medical and mental health history, current approach, previous treatments, and other relevant factors are also considered before any treatment options within our scope are discussed.

Having depression does not automatically mean a particular treatment will be appropriate. Suitability is assessed individually, with particular attention to mental health stability, medication interactions, and other factors that may affect safety.

Some people, including those experiencing significant mental health instability or with a history of conditions such as psychosis or bipolar disorder, may require specialist mental health assessment or may not be suitable for certain treatment options. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and substance use history are also important considerations.

Where you already have a healthcare team supporting your depression, our doctors may recommend that you continue this care. Depending on your circumstances, coordination with your existing healthcare professionals or further specialist input may form part of determining the safest and most appropriate next steps.

Talk to CannaPlus+ today

Depression can make taking action feel difficult, particularly when low energy, reduced motivation or uncertainty about what to do next are already part of what you are experiencing.

CannaPlus+ provides individual medical consultations where you can discuss your symptoms, health history, current medicines and previous treatments with a qualified doctor. Our approach considers your wider health and any care you are already receiving before determining whether options within our clinical scope are appropriate to explore.

Book a consultation to discuss your symptoms, medical history and the most appropriate next steps for your care.

Important Safety Information

Depression can sometimes become a medical emergency. Seek urgent help by calling 111 if you experience:

Thoughts of suicide or seriously harming yourself
A suicide plan or intention to act on suicidal thoughts
Feeling unable to keep yourself or another person safe
Hallucinations, delusional thinking or other psychotic symptoms
Severe confusion or an abrupt, significant change in your mental state
An extreme deterioration in your ability to function or care for yourself

New or rapidly worsening depression should also be assessed promptly, particularly if symptoms are severe or very different from anything you have experienced previously.

ⓘ The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. An individual assessment by a qualified healthcare professional is essential to determine the most appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care.