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Depression

Depressed woman in bedroom

What Is Depression?

'I feel depressed' has become a common phrase used to describe a low mood. As the word is overused in everyday life it makes it hard for people with clinical depression, as this is much more overwhelming than feeling down now or then and is much more serious. Depression is actually a powerful mood disorder that involves feeling sad & numb for weeks, months, or longer.

There are a wide range of triggers for depression and is experienced differently. For some, it is a one-off episode triggered by something known, while for others depression slowly builds over time from a series of small life challenges or occurs out of the blue and for no exact reason.

Depression can happen to any gender, any age and at any time.

Mental & emotional symptoms:

  • A constant low mood such as sadness, guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness
  • Crying more than normal
  • Negative feelings
  • No/lower motivation to take part in activities
  • A lack of enjoyment in life
  • Irritability
  • Social withdrawal
  • Anxiety and/ or panic attacks
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Low self-esteem
  • Self-harm

Physical symptoms:

  • Sleeping less, more or infequently
  • More or less of an apetite
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred thinking
  • Lack of concentration
  • Reduced labido

Useful websites to visit

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Depression/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/depression.asp