Depression

What is depression?

Depression is characterised by a feeling of sadness and unhappiness that lasts for weeks or months at a time. It has a range of symptoms and can affect people of all ages. Depression can have a significant impact on a person’s life, and at its most severe can lead people to contemplate or commit suicide.

It’s important to get medical help and support if you, or someone close to you, suffers with depression, or has experienced symptoms of it every day for a period of two weeks or more.

Some people may find their depression resolves following treatment. Others may have relapses throughout their lives.

What causes depression?

It’s not always clear what causes depression. But there are certain things that can increase risk of getting depression:

Family history – depression can run in families, so if a close family member has depression, you’re more at risk of getting it

Traumatic life events – like a bereavement, job loss or relationship breakdown

Childbirth – women who have given birth may suffer from a type of depression known as postnatal depression

Seasonality – most commonly over the winter months when it’s known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Chronic illness – like cardiovascular disease, an underactive thyroid or cancer

Alcohol and drugs – these can affect the chemistry of the brain and aggravate depression symptoms by causing stress and disrupting social support symptoms

Often times there’s no one clear cause for depression.

Symptoms of depression

Psychological symptoms of depression include:

• Low mood or sadness

• Tearfulness

• Hopelessness

• Anxiousness

• Lack of enjoyment in life, particularly from things that previously gave you pleasure

• Lack of motivation

• Lack of concentration

• Lack of self-esteem

• Feeling irritable

• Thinking of harming yourself

• Suicidal thoughts

Physical symptoms of depression include:

• Feeling tired and fatigued

• Change in appetite

• Disturbed sleep

• Decreased libido

• Unexplained aches and pains

People with depression often find it hard to engage in social activities, and may spend less time with family and friends.

How to treat depression

For very mild symptoms of depression

Simple things such as self-help books, regular exercise, a good sleep regime, mindfulness and reduced alcohol intake can help.

For mild to moderate depression

A course of psychological therapy like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or counselling is recommended. You can usually access this on the NHS with a self-referral or a referral from a GP.

There are also a number of apps and online resources for people with depression that can give psychological help or talking therapy.

For moderate to severe depression

If psychological therapy has not helped, you may be recommended a course of antidepressant medication. Antidepressants are taken daily and usually take up to 6 weeks to start working well.

Side effects can be common in the first few weeks, but often improve after this point. It’s important to keep regular reviews with a GP to make sure the medication is working sufficiently, and to adjust the dose if needed. If the medication is working well, it’s normally recommended to keep taking it for several months.

For those with severe depression symptoms

If a person is having suicidal thoughts they should be assessed urgently – either through a GP, local crisis team (if they’re already known to mental health services), or A&E.

If drug or alcohol addiction exists alongside depression, this should also be addressed so that a GP or psychiatrist can refer you to an appropriate service.

When to see a GP

• You’ve had symptoms of depression daily, for longer than 2 weeks

• Your symptoms are not improving despite having psychological therapy or taking medication

• Your symptoms are interfering with your daily life or work

• You have thoughts of harming yourself or others