Depression is very common - one in five people
become depressed at some point in their lives. Anyone can get low
at times, but someone is said to be suffering from depression when
these feelings don’t go away quickly or become so bad they
interfere with their everyday life.
Why do people get depressed?
Sometimes there may be an obvious reason for
becoming depressed, sometimes not. There is usually more than one
reason and reasons are different for different people. The reason
may seem obvious – a relationship breakdown or a bereavement or
even the birth of a child – sometimes it is not clear. Either way,
these feelings can become so bad that you need help.
What does it feel like to be depressed?
The feeling of depression is deeper, longer
and more unpleasant than the short episodes of unhappiness that
everyone experiences occasionally.
Symptoms include:
- losing interest in life;
- finding it harder to make decisions;
- not coping with things that used to be
manageable;
- feeling exhausted;
- feeling restless and agitated;
- loss of appetite and weight
- difficulties getting to sleep.
How do I know if I am depressed?
Often people don’t realise how depressed they
are, because it has come on so gradually. They may try to struggle
on and cope with feelings of depression by being very busy. This
can make them even more stressed and exhausted. Physical pains such
as constant headaches or sleeplessness then start. Sometimes these
physical symptoms can be the first sign of a depression.
What help is available?
There are two types of treatment available:
talking treatments and medication. Both can be accessed through
your doctor.
What are talking treatments?
There are several different types of talking
treatments. Counselling enables you to talk about your feelings to
an objective, professional person. Your GP may have a counsellor at
the surgery who you can talk to.
Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy helps people overcome the negative thoughts that can
sometimes be the cause of depression.
Interpersonal and
dynamic therapies can be helpful if you find it difficult to
get on with other people. If your depression seems connected with
your relationship with your partner, then a relationship counsellor
might be helpful.
If you have become depressed while suffering
from a disability or caring for a relative, then a self-help group
may give you the support you need.
Any downsides to talking treatments?
They are usually very safe but they can have
side-effects. Talking about things may bring up bad memories from
the past, and this can make you feel low or distressed. Some people
find that therapy can change their outlook and the way they relate
to friends and family. This can put strains on relationships. It is
important to make sure that you can trust your therapist and that
they have had proper training.
What sorts of medication might work?
As well as tablets, there is an alternative
remedy called St John's Wort 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. If you are taking other medication, you should tell
your doctor before taking St John’s Wort.
Antidepressants can
be effective if your depression is severe or goes on for a long
time. They may help you to feel less anxious and cope better so
that you can start to enjoy life and deal with problems effectively
again. It is important to remember that you won't feel the effect
of antidepressants straight away. People often don't notice any
improvement in their mood for 2 or 3 weeks.
Any downsides with antidepressants?
Like all medicines, antidepressants do have some side-effects,
though these are usually mild and tend to wear off as the treatment
goes on. The newer antidepressants (called selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors) may make you feel a bit sick at first and feel
a little more anxious for a short while. The older antidepressants
can cause a dry mouth and constipation. Unless the side-effects are
very bad, your doctor is likely to advise you to carry on with the
tablets.
You may get withdrawal symptoms if you stop
antidepressants suddenly – these can include anxiety, diarrhoea,
vivid dreams or possibly nightmares. This can nearly always be
avoided by slowly reducing the dose before stopping.
Which is right for me – talking treatments or
tablets?
It depends on how your depression has
developed and how severe it is. On the whole, talking treatments
have been found to be effective in mild and moderate depression.
Medication is not thought to be helpful in mild depression. If your
depression is severe, you are more likely to need antidepressants,
usually for a period of 7-9 months.
What will happen if I don’t get
treatment?
Four out of five people with depression will
get better without help but this can take 4-6 months or longer. It
still leaves 1 in 5 people still depressed two years later and a
small number of people with depression will eventually commit
suicide.
What can I do to help myself?
Talking to someone close to you about how you
feel can help. Going over a painful experience several times
and crying it out can allow the mind to heal.
Another strategy is to do something – go
outside for a walk or some other form of exercise. This will help you to keep fit and
hopefully, sleep better. You can also do jobs around the house to
try and take your mind off thoughts that make you depressed.
Make sure you eat well even though you may not
feel it and don’t drink alcohol as this
makes depression worse, although it might not seem to at first.
Try not to get worried if you can’t sleep but do something relaxing in bed such as
reading, watching TV or listening to the radio.
If you think you know what is causing your
depression, it can help to write down the problem and then think of
the things you could do to tackle it. Pick the best actions and see
if they work.
Also try to keep hopeful. Remember this is a
very common experience and you will come through it, probably
stronger and more able to cope than before.
How can I help someone who is depressed?
Listen to them but try not to judge them.
Don’t offer advice unless they ask for it but if you can see the
problem that is behind the depression, you could work with the
person to find a solution.
Spending time with them, listening over and
over to their problems and encouraging them to keep going with
activities in their routine is all helpful.
If they are getting worse, encourage them to
visit their doctor and to accept and follow their treatment.
For more in-depth
information see our main
leaflet.
This leaflet is made available through the
generosity of the Charitable Monies Allocation Committee of the
mental health charity St Andrew's, Northampton
© November 2008 Royal College
of Psychiatrists. This is an abridged version of our main
leaflet.
You can link to, download, print, photocopy and distribute this
leaflet free of charge. But you must not change it or repost it on
a website.
Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our FAQ for advice on getting help.
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