Depression

When someone is feeling depressed they may experience changes in behaviour such as:

  • Headaches or stomach aches
  • High use of alcohol or drugs
  • A lot of crying
  • Feeling hopeless or helpless
  • Getting into difficulty at school, work or home
  • Being irritable
  • Losing interest in activities
  • Changes in eating & sleeping

You are not alone

What Is Depression?

Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad, but these feelings usually pass within a couple of days. We often use the expression ‘I’m feeling depressed’ when we’re feeling sad or miserable about life. Usually, these feelings pass with time. But if these feelings are interfering with your life and don’t go away after a couple of weeks, or if they come back over and over again, it could be a sign that you are depressed in the medical sense of the term.

Symptoms of Depression Include:

  • Persistent sad, anxious or ‘empty’ feelings
  • Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
  • Irritability, restlessness
  • Loss of interest in activities, hobbies or friendships
  • Fatigue and decreased energy
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
  • Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
  • Overeating or appetite loss
  • Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
  • Persistent aches or pains, headaches

Bipolar disorder is the name used to describe a set of ‘mood swing’ conditions, the most severe form of which used to be called ‘manic depression’. With bipolar disorder moods can swing between low, high and mixed. It is important to note that everyone has mood swings from time to time. It is only when these moods become extreme and interfere with life that bipolar disorder may be present and medical assessment may be required.

Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment, but the vast majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better and recover with treatment. If you are concerned that you or someone you know might be showing signs of depression it is important to get support.

For Further Information

Depression

When someone is feeling depressed they may experience changes in behaviour such as:

What Is Depression?

Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad, but these feelings usually pass within a couple of days. We often use the expression ‘I’m feeling depressed’ when we’re feeling sad or miserable about life. Usually, these feelings pass with time. But if these feelings are interfering with your life and don’t go away after a couple of weeks, or if they come back over and over again, it could be a sign that you are depressed in the medical sense of the term.

Symptoms of Depression Include:

  • Persistent sad, anxious or ‘empty’ feelings
  • Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
  • Irritability, restlessness
  • Loss of interest in activities, hobbies or friendships
  • Fatigue and decreased energy
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
  • Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
  • Overeating or appetite loss
  • Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
  • Persistent aches or pains, headaches

Bipolar disorder is the name used to describe a set of ‘mood swing’ conditions, the most severe form of which used to be called ‘manic depression’. With bipolar disorder moods can swing between low, high and mixed. It is important to note that everyone has mood swings from time to time. It is only when these moods become extreme and interfere with life that bipolar disorder may be present and medical assessment may be required.

Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment, but the vast majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better and recover with treatment. If you are concerned that you or someone you know might be showing signs of depression it is important to get support.

For Further Information