[ Mental Health ] [ Depression ] [ Anxiety ]
Depression can be experienced in different ways however it is usually a very debilitating condition. In essence it is a low mood that lasts for a long time and affects everyday life.
It can range from a feeling of low spirits, not stopping you doing everyday things, but making these things much harder to do, and seeming less worthwhile through to life-threatening feelings because it can make individuals feel suicidal, or just make you give up the will to live a normal life.
Low mood and depression are not the same – everyone has times when they feel low, sad or miserable about life – that’s human! It becomes depression when these feelings do not pass or come back over and over again.
Watch this video (I had a black dog, his name was depression) by the World Health Organisation to learn more about depression…
With depression, there can be a range of symptoms from feeling worthless, empty, isolated to having feelings of despair and suicide. It can affect concentration levels; our enjoyment in activities we would usually choose; affect our sleep and cause us to take part in self harming or suicidal behaviours.
Often depression is linked to an external influence such as bereavement or abuse. Treatment is not straightforward and professionals will often need to try multiple treatments before finding an effective one. Commonly depression is treated with a combination of medication and talking therapies.
Further information on depression can be found at the MIND website, a national charity concerned with mental well-being:-
For further sources of support, refer to the Resources section
[ Mental Health ] [ Depression ] [ Anxiety ]