About Depression

Who gets depressed?
What causes depression?
How does depression affect someone?
A list of common symptoms
What depression is not
Is Recovery possible?
More Information

Who gets depressed?

An estimated 1 in 5 of the population of Scotland will experience depression at some point in their lives and the World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that depression will soon be the second biggest cause of illness world-wide. In 2004-5, over three hundred thousand people in Scotland consulted a doctor for depression and research has shown that as many again had depression but did not present themselves for medical help. On top of the people affected personally, it also affects their friends and family, neighbours, employers. Depression will affect us all in one way or another.

What causes depression?

The exact cause of depression is not known although medical researchers have a number of ideas. For some people it can occur for no apparent reason, others can pinpoint a trigger such as a difficult life event, a bad time in their past or some sort of trauma. It appears that in some families there can be a genetic element. Whatever the cause, it is important to remember that depression is as much an illness as cancer or diabetes. there is a lot of stigma around it and somebody may feel weak or ashamed to have depression. 

How does depression affect someone?

Depression affects different people in different ways and can vary in severity . It can have an impact on all parts of a person’s life:

The body  

Your sleep patterns are altered, your appetite is different and you may have aches and pains that are not explained by a physical illness.   You may feel tired and drained and lacking in energy most of the time.

Mood and emotions

Many people with depression have a persistant low mood, and even doing things that would normally cheer you up does not improve it.  Depression can make you more irritable than usual or you may feel numb and unable to feel any emotion.  You may cry a lot or feel like you are unable to cry at all even though you may want to. The depression is often accompanied by anxiety which can become overwhelming at times.

Thoughts

Depression also affects how you think about yourself, about others, about your work, your home, your friends and family and everything else in your life.  You become preoccupied with negative thoughts and are often bleak and pessimistic about the future.  You feel bad about yourself and lose your confidence and belief in yourself and your own abilities.  It is common to have suicidal thoughts and in severe depression you may become actively suicidal or simply lose the will to live.

People are often affected in different ways by depression, one person may find that they want to sleep all the time, another may get insomnia and not be able to get to sleep at all or wake at an early hour.  It can make normal everyday tasks like getting dressed or doing the shopping feel like an impossible mountain to climb.

A list of common symptoms of depression

Symptoms may include:

• Feelings of hopelessness
• Inadequacy
• Anxiety
• Self-hatred
• Negativity
• An inability to enjoy things which were once pleasurable in life
• Guilt
• Agitation
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Loss of energy or motivation
• Loss of sex-drive
• Disturbed sleep
• Poor concentration, indecisiveness
• Irritability, anger
• Social withdrawal
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Self-harm
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

If you experience five or more of these symptoms for more than two weeks, if you are having suicidal thoughts or if any of these symptoms interfere with work or family activities, consult your GP.

What depression isn’t

• Depression is not a passing blue mood
• It is not an everyday low
• It is not sadness
• It is not a sign of personal weakness  
• It cannot be wished away and people with depression cannot just “pull themselves together” and get better

Is recovery possible?

Although when you are depressed, you may feel that recovery is not possible and there is little point pursuing treatment because it will not help, this is not true. Most people with depression do recover and go back to leading a normal life.   It is important not to be afraid to seek help. 

More about Recovery

More Information

Post Natal Depression (PND)
Bipolar Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Treating Depression
Self-help Support Groups
DAS Information Service
Help in a Crisis
www.lookokfeelcrap.org

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