Depression

More than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. Symptoms can affect day-to-day life and can become very distressing. Many people know when they are depressed. However, some people do not realize when they are depressed. Some people might think that they have a physical illness – for example, if they lose weight. However physical symptoms can be caused by depression.

Symptoms of Depression:

• Persistent sadness or low mood
• Marked loss of interest or pleasure in activities
• Disturbed sleep compared with your usual pattern
• Change in appetite.
• Tiredness (fatigue), or loss of energy
• Agitation
• Poor concentration
• Feelings of worthlessness

PREVALENCE:

About 5 in 100 adults have depression every year.

WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION:

The exact cause is not known. Anyone can develop depression. Some people are more prone to it than others. There may be some genetic factor involved.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR DEPRESSION

In general, treatments are divided into those used for mild depression and those used for moderate and severe depression. Some people prefer one type of treatment to another.

• Self Help Guides
• Anti-depressant medications
• Psychological (talking) treatments

SOME DOS AND DON’TS:

• Don’t bottle things up and ‘go it alone’. Try to tell people who are close to you how you feel.
• Don’t despair – most people with depression recover.
• Do try to distract yourself by doing other things, such as watching TV.
• Do eat regularly, even if you do not feel like eating. Try to eat a healthy diet.
• Don’t make any major decisions whilst you are depressed.
• Do tell your doctor if you feel that you are getting worse.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

It is important to seek help from your doctor if you think you are depressed. Many people wait a long time before seeking help for depression but it’s best not to delay. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery.