Depression

Depression affects 10-15% of people at some stage during their lifetime, and is more common in women.  There are a number of treatments available for depression and the majority of people can be successfully treated. What is Depression? Depression is an illness, it can affect a persons life in many ways including enjoyment of leisure activities, personal relationships and performance at work. Everyone feels 'depressed' sometimes but when a person has depression they generally feel like that all the time. This is when you know that it is depression and not just having a bad day.

There are many symptoms of depression and not everyone will experience the same symptoms. 

Symptoms

• Irritability
• Feelings of guilt and/or helplessness
• Inability to concentrate or make decisions
• Feelings of anxiety
• Reduced appetite
• Loss of interest in favourite activities
• Loss of interest in personal appearance
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Difficulty getting up in the morning
• Constant tiredness
• Lack of energy
• Changes in weight
• Headaches

Symptoms will develop over a period of time and some may present at the same time.

It is important to know that DEPRESSION IS NOT:

• A sign of weekness
• Just feeling ‘a bit down’
• Something to feel guilty about
• A punishment for being a bad person

Depression is an illness that can affect anyone.  It is ultimately caused by an imbalance of special chemical substances in the brain called neurotransmitters.  Although the imbalance can be contributed to by personality and life events resulting in stress.

Many people think depression will just go away if the sufferer makes an effort to think positively and enjoy themselves.  They do not understand that depression is an illness and as such required treatment.  The lack of understanding in many people can in fact make the depressed person even more depressed and isolated.  It is due to this lack of understanding that many people with depression are reluctant to talk about it or tell their family and friends about it.

By talking about depression and seeing your doctor to have your depression diagnosed is the first step on the road to recovery.