37 Am I depressed? What can I do about it without taking antidepressants?

‘TRue depression is where you feel depressed more days than you do not, which is not true if you are simply unhappy,’ says psychiatrist Dr Hallstrom.

‘Depression is an illness, while unhappiness is a reaction to events or the situation you find yourself in: most people are somewhere between the two.’

There are tests on the internet that you can use to assess your state of mind, he adds.

‘One, called PHQ-9, is used a lot in the nHS and your GP will also probably ask you to complete it,’ says Dr Hallstrom. ‘It gives you a score out of 27 and tells you whether you’re depressed or not.’ Questions include asking whether you have little interest in doing things and about your appetite.

There are many drug- free options for depression.

‘Counselling can be great but it takes work,’ says Dr Hallstrom.

‘It can drag up sadness in itself and you need to be aware you won’t suddenly feel better after the first three sessions.’

Another option is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) — a form of therapy that aims to change how you react to everyday events.

This can be accessed on the internet and there are good books on the subject that can suggest self-help techniques, says Dr Hallstrom.

‘ Depression For Dummies, available as a book or via the website ( dummies.com), is good.’ As well as drug treatments, it covers nutrition advice and relaxation techniques.

‘And before anyone dismisses pills, I would urge them to remember that what they want is not necessarily what’s best for them,’ stresses Dr Hallstrom.

‘I think it’s sad that people are so scared of antidepressants, as they can work miraculously well and are quick and effective.

‘Of course, people have the option of trying them and, if they don’t work, then stopping them after a couple of months. They take up to six weeks to work fully. If there’s no obvious benefit after eight weeks on a proper dose, then it is worth stopping the medication and considering alternatives.

‘GPs deal with depression all the time, so don’t be afraid to take their advice — even if that means taking medication.

‘Discuss any problems or sideeffects with your GP rather than giving up over any setbacks at the first hurdle. If you benefit from the medication, continue it for at least six months.’