Depression - The ups and downs of life are common and normal and some might use the
expression "I'm depressed" when what they really mean is that they are "fed up” -
“I've had a row” - I’ve failed my exams” etc.
With depression there is a low mood and other symptoms every day for two weeks or
more, during which the symptoms may become severe enough to interfere with day-to-day
activities. An episode of depression serious enough to require treatment occurs in
about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men at some point in their lives. Some people may
have two or more episodes of depression at various times in their life.
While some people may know when they are depressed others do not realise when they
are depressed. They may feel that they are not right, that they are not functioning
well, but don't know why. Some may begin to consider that they have a physical illness.
The exact cause of depression is not known. Some are more prone to it, and it can
develop for no apparent reason. There may be no particular problem or worry, but
symptoms can develop quite suddenly.
Depression is common and some may feel there is a stigma attached, or that they may
be thought weak. Those with depression may be told by others to 'pull their socks
up' or 'snap out of it'. They cannot, and such comments by others are unhelpful.
Understanding that the symptoms are due to depression, and it is a common illness,
may help a person to accept that they are ill and encourage them to seek professional
help.
In general, treatments are divided into those used for mild depression and those
used for moderate and severe depression.
Don't bottle things up - try and tell people who are close to you how you feel.
Don't despair - most people with depression recover.
Don't drink too much alcohol - drinking heavily is likely to make your situation
worse in the long run.
Don't make any major decisions - it may appear tempting to give up a job, or move
away, to solve the problem.
Try and distract yourself by doing other things.
Eat regularly.
Talk to your health professional if you feel that you are getting worse, particularly
if suicidal thoughts are troubling you.
Treatment consists of psychotherapy, medications, or both. There is a number of effective
antidepressant medications that differ primarily in side-effect profile.
Generally, these medications will take at least seven to ten days to start to work
and may take much longer than that to achieve their full effect. A risk then is of
abandoning treatment too soon when improvement is not immediate.
A common and effective approach is to use a combination of medications and psychotherapy.
This helps to ensure that the individual remains safe until improvement occurs.
Some cases of depression may be treatment resistant.
