Depression

What is it?

When you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.

Depression is a real illness with real symptoms, and it’s not a sign of weakness or something you can “snap out of” by simply “pulling yourself together”.

Depression affects about one in 10 of us at some point. Studies have shown that about one in five children aged five to 16 in the UK are anxious or depressed.

Have I got depression?

Symptoms range from lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.

There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and complaining of various aches and pains.

When to see a doctor

It’s important to seek help from your GP if you think you may be depressed. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery.

Possible triggers

Life-changing events, such as bereavement, losing your job or even having a baby, can bring on depression. People with a family history of depression are also more likely to experience it themselves.

Treatment

This involves medication and talking treatments. The kind of treatment that your doctor recommends will be based on the type of depression you have.

Living with depression

Many people with depression benefit by making lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, cutting down on alcohol, stopping smoking and eating more healthily.

Measures such as reading a selfhelp book or joining a support group are also effective.