Condition : Depression

Condition Depression

What is depression?

Feeling sad or low for a few days is normal. If you feel low for weeks or months, or it stops you doing your usual things, you might have depression.

Depression can affect people in different ways and symptoms can vary. Some may experience symptoms more often or severely than others, or for longer periods of time. The impact it has on everyday life is different for everyone.

Symptoms can include:

low mood or feeling hopeless
often tearful
easily annoyed or impatient with others
no interest in hobbies or things you used to enjoy
worry or anxiety
thinking about harming yourself or suicide
moving or talking more slowly
changes in appetite or weight
unexplained aches or pain
feeling very tired or having low energy
lower interest in sex
trouble sleeping or waking very early

When you have severe symptoms of depression and hallucinations and false beliefs (the symptoms of psychosis), this is known as psychotic depression.

Grief

Grieving is often confused with depression as it can have some of the same symptoms. Grief is a natural response to a loss that usually improves over time, while depression is an illness that lasts for a long period and may not have an obvious cause or starting point.

For some people, grieving can lead to depression.

What causes depression?

The trigger for depression will be different for everyone, and often there will be more than one.

Upsetting or stressful life events (bereavement, divorce, losing a job) are common causes depression. However, some people will describe a ‘downward spiral’, where one trigger leads to another. For example, a relationship breakdown means you need to find somewhere new to live, leading to worries about money, and, if you need to move away, loneliness.

Risks factors for depression include:

a family history of depression
personality traits, such as being too self-critical
seasonal patterns
drinking too much alcohol or using drugs
long-term illness or injury
head injury
loneliness
changes in hormones (for example, pregnancy or menopause)

Sometimes, depression may be a symptom of another medical condition, such as generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), hoarding disorder, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), or bipolar disorder.

Next steps

Step 1. View our services

Discover services and support options available to help you with your health and wellbeing.

Step 2. Check out our advice

Browse our advice and resources to learn more about your condition and ways to manage it.

Step 3. Contact a Healthcare Professional

If you need further support or have concerns, a Healthcare Professional is here to help. Reach out for professional medical advice tailored to you.

Managing your health

We've created advice and resources to help you manage health conditions at home.

Talking Therapies

Adults

A free and confidential service offering effective treatment for common mental health problems such as low mood, stress or worry.

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Mental health service for children and young people (CAMHS)

Children & young people

View our full range of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

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Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team

Adults

Mental health assessment at home or a community setting and, where possible, treatment to avoid admission to hospital.

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Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

Adults

Support for ex-military personnel, reservists, and service leavers.

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Community Mental Health Services

Adults

We offer treatment and support for those with significant mental health difficulties that limit one or more major life activities, including the ability to function in daily life.

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