Depression

Depression affects a person’s thinking and mood. People with depression experience feelings of sadness that can last for weeks or months. These feelings interfere with everyday life. In its mildest form, depression can lead to someone feeling miserable and everyday activities feel much harder to do. Severe depression may lead to someone feeling that their life is pointless.

The cause

The exact cause of depression is not known. Some people begin to feel depressed for no clear reason. Some people find their depression has been triggered by something that has happened to them – such as the loss of a loved one or the break-up of a relationship. You are more likely to experience depression if other members of your family have also experienced it.

Who does depression affect?

Depression affects people of all ages and from all backgrounds. It is estimated that about 1 in 5 people will experience depression during their lives. Depression affects different people in different ways. It can affect your body, your moods, emotions, feelings and thoughts:

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression shows itself in many different ways. People don't always realize what's going on because their problems seem to be physical, not mental. They tell themselves they're simply under the weather or feeling tired. But if you tick off five or more of the following symptoms, it's likely you're depressed and you might want to consider taking our Stress Test or contacting us:

• being restless and agitated
• waking up early, having difficulty sleeping, or sleeping more
• feeling tired and lacking energy; doing less and less
• using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual
• not eating properly and losing or putting on weight
• crying a lot
• difficulty remembering things
• physical aches and pains with no physical cause
• feeling low-spirited for much of the time, every day
• being unusually irritable or impatient
• getting no pleasure out of life or what you usually enjoy
• losing interest in your sex life
• finding it hard to concentrate or make decisions
• blaming yourself and feeling unnecessarily guilty about things
• lacking self-confidence and self-esteem
• being preoccupied with negative thoughts
• feeling numb, empty and despairing
• feeling helpless

Body

• sleep e.g. difficulty getting to sleep, waking early, wanting to sleep all the time
• eating e.g. not wanting to eat or eating too much
• aches and pains – that cannot be explained
• energy levels e.g. feeling tired and drained or feeling restless and unable to relax

Moods, emotions and feelings

• feeling sad and in low spirits
• feeling more irritable than usual
• feeling numb and emotionless
• crying a lot – or feeling unable to cry even if you want to
• feeling anxious and worried
• feeling worthless and lacking in confidence
• feeling negative about the future
• feeling that life is not worth living
• feeling suicidal

Screening tools

There are a number of questionnaires which have been designed to help people decide whether or not they have depression. These are available on the internet free of charge. They will not confirm if you have a diagnosis of depression. Some people find it helpful to work through these questionnaires when considering their own symptoms. Our Stress Test can help you recognise symptoms of depresssion, and if you are worried that you are suffering from depression you can contact us:

What should I do if I think I have depression?

If you have had feelings of sadness which have not gone away and are interfering with your daily life, it may be a sign that you are feeling depressed. Take our Stress Test or contact us. Or you may wish to see your GP.

Why can’t I just ‘pull myself together’?

Unlike feeling unhappy for a short time, like if you have a bad day at work, you cannot be expected to "snap out" of being depressed. Feeling depressed is not a sign of weakness or failure and you shouldn't feel ashamed to be feeling this way. Depression can be treated if you seek help.

What can help with depression?

Most people, who seek help with their depression, recover well. There are many things that can help you with your depression. These include:

• Psychological therapies such as psychotherapy, Counselling, cognitive behavioral therapy and relationship therapy. There is more information about this type of help in ‘how we can help section of this website.
• Our Stressbusters Programme could help. (Hyperlink here)
• Getting support and sharing experiences with other people who experience depression.
• Learning as much as possible about the condition and how it affects you. It can be useful to do this together with family members and others who are involved in supporting you. There are a number of useful books and websites which provide information and support.
• looking after yourself and trying to lead a healthy lifestyle by eating well, keeping active and getting enough sleep.
• finding ways to reduce the amount of stress in your life and trying to avoid the things which might make you feel more depressed.
• making changes to your life to increase your sense of wellbeing.
• medicines (also known as medication or prescribed drugs) may help you with your depression, especially if it deemed as moderate or severe depression.

There is more information about medicines that can help with depression on the websites of the national mental health charities, Mind and Rethink 

Useful links

Mental Health Matters Helpline
Confidential emotional support and guidance – Tel. 0800 107 0160
Mental Health Matters Helpline is a confidential service staffed by highly trained and experienced Telephone Helpline Workers, offering emotional support to anyone calling. We provide information on local and national services specific to Mental Health. You do not need a diagnosed illness to call, people contact us about many different issues's such as bereavement, relationship problems, loneliness/isolation and stress. Ongoing support is available, we are also here for carers in need of support.

Live it Well
The Live It Well website provides information on mental wellbeing, and provides more information about support groups and services in your area.

Signpost UK
The Signpost UK website provides information on mental health problems, information for carers and links to local services.

Kent County Council
If you have been trying to manage your symptoms by using alcohol or drugs please visit the Kent County Council website which provides a list of services that are availiable across Kent.

Glasgow Steps
This website will tell you all about common depression problems and give you some ideas on how best to tackle them.

Living Life To The Full
Living Life to the Full  is a self help life skills training package based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), for those with mild to moderate depression and anxiety.

The Mood Gym
This website is an online programme that allow you to learn Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) skills
for preventing and coping with depression.

Counselling Team is a private Coaching and Counselling Service

call us on 01303 850 674