Most of us will have times of feeling down from time to time, but when we feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days it is known as Depression.
Depression is a very serious health condition. If treatment is not sought it, in serious cases can lead to Suicide.
Depression isn’t a sign of weakness. We as human beings are all prone to get it. Never consider alone or as the only person that can have it.
If you seek treatment and support for depression like most people you can make a full recovery.
Why am I depressed?
Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms.
They range from lasting feelings of unhappiness 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 constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and various aches and pains.
What causes depression?
Normally some kind of trigger causes depression. Life-changing events, such as bereavement, lose of job or even having a baby, can be the reason but certainly not the only reason.
People with a family history of depression are more likely to experience it themselves. But you can also become depressed for no obvious reason.
Depression is fairly common, affecting about one in ten people at some point during their life. It doesn’t discriminate and affects both men and women, young and old.
Studies have shown that about 4% of children aged five to 16 in the UK are anxious or depressed.
What are the Symptoms?
It can be complex and differ between people. In general if you’re depressed, you we feel very sad, hopeless, despair, withdrawn and no longer enjoy do things that you once enjoyed..
That they persist for weeks or months and are now interfere with your work, social life and family life.
There are many mental and physical symptoms of depression and you likely to a mixture of some of those listed but all of them.
Psychological Symtoms
The psychological symptoms of depression include:
- continuous low mood or sadness
- feeling hopeless and helpless
- having low self-esteem
- feeling tearful
- feeling guilt-ridden
- feeling irritable and intolerant of others
- having no motivation or interest in things
- finding it difficult to make decisions
- not getting any enjoyment out of life
- feelinganxious or worried
- having suicidal thoughtsor thoughts of harming yourself
Physical symptoms
The physical symptoms of depression include:
- moving or speaking more slowly than usual
- changes in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased)
- constipation
- unexplained aches and pains
- lack of energy
- low sex drive (loss of libido)
- changes to your menstrual cycle
- disturbed sleep – for example, finding it difficult to fall asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning
Social symptoms
The social symptoms of depression include:
- not doing well at work
- avoiding contact with friends and taking part in fewer social activities
- neglecting your hobbies and interests
- having difficulties in your home and family life
