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Overview
Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days.
Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you're depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.
Some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They're wrong – it is a real illness with real symptoms.
Depression is not a sign of weakness or something you can "snap out of" by "pulling yourself together".
The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people with depression can make a full recovery.
Symptoms
The symptoms of depression can be complex and vary widely between people. If you're depressed, you may feel sad, hopeless and lose interest in things you used to enjoy.
The symptoms persist for weeks or months and are bad enough to interfere with your work, social life and family life.
Psychological symptoms
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
- feeling anxious or worried
- having suicidal thoughts or 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)
- 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:
- avoiding contact with friends and taking part in fewer social activities
- neglecting your hobbies and interests
- having difficulties in your home, work or family life
Causes
Sometimes there's a trigger for depression. Life-changing events, such as bereavement, losing your job or giving birth, can bring it on.
People with a family history of depression are more likely to experience it themselves. But you can also become depressed for no obvious reason.
Diagnosis
If you experience symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day for more than 2 weeks, you should seek help from a GP.
It's particularly important to speak to a GP if you:
- have symptoms of depression that are not improving
- find your mood affects your work, other interests, and relationships with your family and friends
- have thoughts of suicide or self-harm
Sometimes, when you're depressed it can be difficult to imagine that treatment can actually help. But the sooner you seek treatment, the sooner your depression will improve.
There are no physical tests for depression, but a GP may examine you and carry out some urine or blood tests to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms, such as an underactive thyroid.
The main way a GP will tell if you have depression is by asking you questions about your general health and how the way you're feeling is affecting your daily life, both mentally and physically.
They'll also ask about your medical history, any previous mental health problems, your home environment and lifestyle, and any recent triggers such as stressful events. They'll ask about whether you've had thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Treatment Options
Treatment for depression can involve a combination of lifestyle changes, talking therapies and medicine. Your recommended treatment will be based on how severe your depression is.
If you have mild depression, your doctor may suggest waiting to see whether it improves on its own, while monitoring your progress. This is known as "watchful waiting". They may also suggest lifestyle measures such as exercise and guided self-help.
Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), may also be used for mild depression.
For moderate to severe depression, a combination of talking therapy and antidepressants is often recommended.
If you have severe depression, you may be referred to a specialist mental health team for intensive specialist talking treatments and prescribed medicine.
When To See A Doctor
See a GP if you experience symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks.
A low mood may improve after a short time.
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