Depression

Most people experience short periods of unhappiness from time-to-time. They may think they are depressed, but the true feeling of depression is much deeper, longer and more unpleasant than unhappiness. The symptoms of depression vary from person to person, and the level of depression may get progressively worse, or sometimes it may become very severe, then at other times, it will ease.
Often, people don’t realise how depressed they are, because their depression has developed gradually. They may try to struggle on and cope by keeping busy. This can cause stress and exhaustion. It may even lead to sleeplessness or physical pain, such as a constant headache.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Typical symptoms of depression may be any or all of the following:
• Struggling to make decisions
• Coping badly with things that used to be manageable
• Feeling exhausted
• Being restless and agitated
• Losing your appetite
• Losing weight
• Finding it difficult to sleep
• Losing interest in life

What causes depression?

Sometimes, there may be an obvious cause of depression – for example, a relationship breakdown or bereavement. The cause may even be something that you would think was good, such as the birth of a child. But in other cases there is no apparent reason. There may even be several reasons for depression, and one person may have different reasons to another.
Happily, four out of five people with depression get better without help, and the shorter the time you have been depressed, the higher the chance that your depression will lift.

How to combat depression

It may be enough to talk things over with someone close, such as a relative or friend. If this doesn't help, try discussing it with your family doctor. Talk about how you feel. Going over a negative experience and crying it out may help you come to terms with it.
Take regular exercise. Apart from helping you to keep fit, which will be beneficial in coping with depression, you are also likely to sleep better. ?
If you can't sleep, try not to worry about it. Do something relaxing in bed such as reading, watching television or listening to the radio.
Do jobs around the house to take your mind off the thoughts that make you depressed. ?
Eat well, even if you don’t feel like it. But don’t drink alcohol, because it makes depression worse, although that might not seem the case at first.
If you know what is making you depressed, write it down and think of ways to tackle it. Then pick the best ideas and see if they help.
Stay positive and hopeful: depression is a very common experience and you will probably come through it stronger and more able to cope than before.
But if your depression persists for a long time, despite having tried the remedies suggested above, you should certainly go back to your doctor and ask him or her to recommend treatment.

What treatments are there for depression?

Two groups of treatments are available, both of which may be accessed through your doctor.
Talking treatments for depression
• Counselling enables you to talk about your feelings in private, with a sympathetic professional
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) may help you to overcome the powerful negative thoughts that are part of depression
• Interpersonal and dynamic therapies may help if you find it difficult to get on with other people.
• A relationship counsellor may be helpful if you're having difficulties with your partner
• A self-help group may give you support if you have a disability or are caring for a relative

Medication for depression

• Antidepressants can be effective if depression is severe or goes on for a long time. They may help to combat feelings of anxiety so that you can deal with problems effectively again. Antidepressants don’t usually work straight away – often, people don't notice their mood improving for two or three weeks. Like all medicines, antidepressants have some side effects, though these are usually mild and tend to wear off as the treatment goes on.

• St. John's Wort is an alternative remedy to antidepressants that is available from chemists. There is evidence that it is effective in mild to moderate depression. It seems to work in much the same way as some antidepressants, but some people find that it has fewer side effects. Before taking it, you should discuss it with your doctor, especially if you are taking other medication.
Medication may cause side effects. The newer antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may cause nausea and anxiety for a short while. The older antidepressants can cause a dry mouth and constipation. But unless the side effects are very bad, your doctor will usually advise you to continue with the tablets.