How does it feel?
If you have the condition, you are likely to have at least five of the following depression symptoms:
You may feel:
- worthless
- like life isn’t worth living
- constantly anxious, tearful and worried
- like you can’t concentrate
- indecisive
- irritable and intolerant of others
- you are not getting enough enjoyment out of life
- you have a lack of self-esteem
- you have excessive and inappropriate guilt
- you have no motivation or interest in things you used to enjoy.
You may exhibit:
- changes in sleeping patterns - broken nights or oversleeping
- changes in eating patterns - loss of appetite or overeating
- tiredness and a loss of energy
- persistent headaches and/or stomach upsets
- chronic pain
- a slower speaking pattern than usual
- loss of libido
- changes to your menstrual cycle.
You may also:
- neglect hobbies and interests
- isolate yourself from friends and family
- take part in fewer social activities
- notice your productivity falling at work.
You may not notice if you have developed depression, especially if it has been a gradual process over a number of weeks or months. Sometimes it takes a friend, a family member or a partner to point out that you may have a problem.
Why do we become depressed?
Sometimes it’s instantly apparent what the cause is, but other times there isn’t an obvious reason why you feel so down. It could be that you’ve lost something or someone that you value, or it could stem from disappointment or frustration. Usually there will be more than one reason why you suffer from depression, and these reasons differ from person to person.
Common reasons behind the development of depression include:
Distressing life events
Distressing life events can take their toll on us. Divorce, family problems or losing a job are all serious moments in our lives that can alter our mood in the long-term.
Bereavement
Losing someone that is close to you, even from natural causes, can increase the risk. It’s not always simply the loss that causes it, it’s the way we deal with it. If you don’t grieve or express your feelings properly, they can build up and contribute towards depression.
Childhood experiences
Your childhood experiences can affect you in adult life. If you were physically or emotionally abused, or not taught to cope with troubles that enter your life, it could lead you to having problems as you grow up.
Anger
‘Frozen anger’ is a term that’s closely related to depression. You may have gone through something that caused you to become angry, but at the time you couldn’t express your feelings properly. This type of anger becomes suppressed; it can then build up and become a primary cause of depression.
Circumstances
Feeling like you’re alone, stressed, physically exhausted and/or have no one to talk to can all cause the mental health condition.
Social media
Although social media itself doesn’t cause depression, constantly comparing your life to other peoples’ has been heavily linked.
Physical illness
Some types of physical illness can alter how the brain works and cause depression. Such conditions include:
- hormonal problems, e.g. an underactive thyroid
- viral infections, e.g. glandular fever or flu (prevalent in younger people)
- painful or lasting illnesses, e.g. arthritis
- life-threatening conditions, e.g. heart disease and cancer.
Alcohol
Heavy drinking on a regular basis can make you more susceptible to developing depression.
Types of depression
This mental health condition will vary in terms of severity and how it impacts a sufferer's life.
Below are the different types of depression:
Mild depression - When depression symptoms have only a limited impact on a daily life. Generally, sufferers of mild depression will experience a persistent low mood and spirit. They may find it difficult to motivate themselves to do things they normally enjoy.
Major (clinical) depression - A more severe form that can lead to hospital admission. Symptoms will be more prominent and will interfere with an individual's daily life. They can affect an individual's eating habits, sleeping, and other day-to-day activities. Some sufferers may feel suicidal and that life is no longer worth living.
Bipolar disorder - A form of manic depression characterised by extreme highs and lows. For example when a period of hyperactivity where sufferers are excited and planning overambitious tasks is followed by a period of severe depression.
Source: http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/depression.html
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