At i-psy, we often see people who have migrated to a new country having feelings of melancholy and listlessness.  Migration and life in a new country with a different language and customs is a drastic event. This may sometimes lead to depression, for the generations after you as well.

Everybody is sad at times but this usually isn't a depression. You are depressed when you:

• have been downcast for more than two consecutive weeks
• you do not want to do or cannot enjoy anything anymore

At i-psy, we often see people who have migrated to a new country having feelings of melancholy and listlessness.  Migration and life in a new country with a different language and customs is a drastic event. This may sometimes lead to depression, for the generations after you as well.

Symptoms of depression after migration

Depression influences your:

• feelings
• thinking
• behaviour
• body

Feeling sad

You feel very sad and you cry a lot. Or you have a short temper. You may, on the other hand, feel nothing. Your feelings seem to be 'dead'.

Thinking: negative thoughts

People with depression often have symptoms such as concentration problems and forgetfulness. You worry a lot and have negative thoughts.
Depressed people behave differently: you prefer not to see other people and you are easily irritated. You often sleep and eat too much or too little.

Physical symptoms of depression: pain

Sometimes, people with a depression have physical symptoms such as:

• fatigue
• loss of energy
• dizziness
• backache
• headache

These symptoms probably do not make you think immediately of a psychological disorder. The physical symptoms decrease when you have your depression properly treated.