Depression: key facts
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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.
Depression is an illness that is often experienced as episodes.
People usually recover from depression, but is also possible
for depression to come back again. Episodes can last several months
(or even longer in some instances).
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:
- persistent sadness or low mood
- 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
- loss of sex drive
- thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Depression is graded by mental health professionals according to
its severity into mild, moderate and severe episodes. This grading
is determined by the number of symptoms you may have rather than
the length of the episode.
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.
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.
What sorts of medication might work?
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.
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.
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. A
small number of people with severe 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.
© September 2011. This is an
abridged version of our main leaflet on 'Depression'. Produced by the Royal College
of Psychiatrists' Public Education Editorial Board, chaired by Dr
Philip Timms. This factsheet was reviewed by Dr Michael Yousif.
This leaflet is made available through the
generosity of the Charitable Monies
Allocation Committee of the mental health charity St Andrew's,
Northampton
© September 2011.
Royal College of Psychiatrists. 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.
Charity Registration number (England
and Wales) 228636 and in Scotland SC038369.
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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