Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. When you’re depressed feeling sad can persist for weeks or months.

It is a serious illness and not something you can simply snap out of. But with the correct treatment and support, most people can make a full recovery.

What Is Depression?

Depression can be on a spectrum from mild to severe and will be diagnosed depending upon on how serious it is. A mild depression will have some impact on your daily life. While a moderate depression has a significant impact on your daily life.

Severe depression, (also called major or clinical depression) however, will make it almost impossible to get through daily life. A  few people with severe depression may have or develop psychotic symptoms. 

Depression will affect different people in a variety of different ways and symptoms. It can come on gradually and you may not notice that you are affected. In fact, it may take a family member or friend to notice the symptoms.

Many people try to cope without realising they are unwell due to the gradual nature of depression. They may have learnt to cope over time or with some milder symptoms but not realise how ill they have become.

What are the symptoms of depression?

All the symptoms listed are for depression, whether mild, moderate or severe. Your GP will determine the level of your depression and whether you need to be referred to another specialist.

The psychological symptoms of depression include:

1. continuous low mood or sadness
2. feeling hopeless and helpless
3. low self-esteem
4. tearful
5. feeling guilt-ridden
6. feeling irritable and intolerant of others
7. having no motivation
8. no interest in things
9. difficulty in making decisions
10. no enjoyment in life
11. feeling anxiety (see below) or worried
12. suicidal thoughts
13. thoughts of harming yourself or others

The physical symptoms of depression include:

1. moving or speaking more slowly than usual
2. increased or decreased appetite or weight
3. constipation
4. unexplained aches and pains
5. lack of energy
6. low sex drive
7. changes to menstrual cycle
8. disturbed sleep or difficulty sleeping

The social symptoms of depression include:

1. not doing well at work
2. avoiding contact with friends/family
3. not taking part in social activities
4. neglecting hobbies/interests
5. having difficulties in the relationship with a partner

Anxiety may play a part of your depression, symptoms may include:

1. restlessness
2. a sense of dread
3. feeling constantly “on edge”
4. difficulty concentrating
5. irritability
6. withdrawal from social contact
7. dizziness
8. tiredness
9. a noticeably strong, fast or irregular heartbeat
10. muscle aches and tension
11. trembling or shaking
12. dry mouth
13. excessive sweating
14. shortness of breath
15. stomach ache
16. feeling sick
17. headaches
18. pins and needles
19. difficulty falling or staying asleep

Please be aware you do not need to have all the symptoms listed to have depression or anxiety. It’s important to seek help from your GP if you think you may be depressed.

It is better to have a chat with your doctor and rule out depression or other medical conditions than to wait. The sooner you seek treatment the quicker you will recover.

What causes depression?

Sometimes there’s a trigger for depression or at other times it can be caused by a series of events.

Life-changing or stressful events, such as bereavement, losing your job, relationship breakdown, loneliness, PTSD, Eating disorders, alcohol or drug addiction or even having a baby (Post-Natal Depression) can bring it on.

Although grief and depression can share some characteristics, depression is an illness and grief is a natural reaction to something that has happened. 

Personality traits such as low self-esteem or being over critical of yourself or having a family history of depression are more likely to trigger depression in you.

Illness such as coronary heart disease, cancer or major head injuries has also been known to put people at higher risk of depression.

But you can also become depressed for no obvious reason.

If you are unclear whether you have depression or not please always seek your GP’s advice first.

There are no physical tests for depression, but your GP may examine you and carry out some tests to rule out other medical conditions. Your GP will want you to be as honest with them as possible about all your symptoms.

In this way, they can tell whether you have depression or not and how severe it is. Any discussion you have with your GP is confidential except if there is a significant risk of harm to yourself or others.

Treating depression.

Treatment for depression can involve a combination of lifestyle changes (see helping yourself below), talking therapies and medication. Any treatment will be based on whether you have mild, moderate or severe depression.

For severe depression, a combination of talking therapy and antidepressants is often used and you may be referred to a specialist mental health team for intensive treatment. This team is made of psychologists,  psychiatrists, specialist nurses and occupational therapists.

Helping yourself live with depression.

It is important to make lifestyle changes:

1. exercise, even a 10/15 minute walk daily will help.
2. eat healthily, 3 meals a day or 5 smaller meals.
3. cut down on or out alcohol.
4. quit smoking.
5. finding  ways to relax, such as mindfulness or meditation of some form.
6. reading self-help books or articles on depression can help you understand your condition better.
7.  join a support group, learning others are the same as you does help your self-esteem and you’ll make new friends who understand what you’re going through also.
8. make sure you know your rights and entitlement to help your financial or workplace situation (so get advice if needed).
9. do not use illegal drugs to self-medicate.

Looking after someone with depression.

It’s not just the person with depression who’s affected by their illness. Their friends and family are also affected.

If you are in this situation please note you too need support. Partners may find that the relationships changes and becomes strained. Know that at this time you need to talk to someone such as a psychologist and perhaps consider joining a support group too.

If you find your marriage is now suffering, as a result, don’t put off having marriage counselling as a couple either. It is important to voice your concerns and talk things through in an open manner. A psychologist can help you do this together.

Make sure you understand all your rights and entitlements too as this can fall to the partner. Talk to MABS, Citizens Advice or Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (all in Ireland so look at you local supports if outside of Ireland.) if you need help, especially financially.

You too need to reduce your stress, exercise, eat healthily and relax daily. You may need time off away from the family member you are caring for. Never feel guilty about this, as it isn’t unusual for one partner to get better only to find the other partner has become ill as a result of all the stress.

Work With Me.

Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.