Depression
What is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder which primarily consists of very low mood, most or all of the time. Sometimes people with depression find that their mood varies throughout the day. For some people their mood is worst first thing in a morning and gets better as the day goes on, however, for other people their mood gets worse as the day progresses.
What are the Symptoms of depression?
There are many symptoms of depression, and not everyone will experience the same symptoms, however, possible symptoms include:
- Low mood or sadness for a long time
- Feeling hopeless and helpless
- Low self-esteem
- Tearfulness
- Feeling guilty
- Feeling irritable and intolerant of others
- Lack of motivation and little interest in things
- Difficulty making decisions
- Lack of enjoyment
- Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself
- Feeling anxious or worried
- Reduced sex drive
- Struggling with studies or work
- Avoiding contact with friends and social activities
- Reduced interest in hobbies
- Difficulties in home and family life
- Speaking and moving more slowly
- Change in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased)
- Constipation
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Lack of energy
- Changes to your periods if you are female
- Difficulty getting to sleep or waking up too early
Managing Depression
Self-help techniques can be useful for depression, however, managing depression can be very difficult, and dangerous, to cope with on your own, so if you think you are depressed don't suffer alone, help is available.