WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

• We can all feel sad and blue at times, but most times we recover quickly. Depression lasts longer than this, and is a lot more than feeling sad. It includes changes to our thinking, work, socialising, and biology. Common symptoms of depression are listed below.
• Depression is very common – 25% of people will have depression at some point in their lives.
• It is not always easy to tell when we have depression. Apart from our emotions, other signs of depression could be changes in our behaviour, physical health or thinking.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION  

Behavioural

• Avoiding other people, social situations, or activities

• Difficulty getting motivated to do your usual activities. It may feel like a 'chore' to do so.

• Reduced interest in things you used to enjoy

• Increased use of drugs (cigarettes, alcohol or others)

Physical

• Feeling tired, having less energy

• Changes in sleep (it may be difficult to get to sleep, sleep may be broken continuously, you may wake early and find it difficult to get back to sleep, or find that you are sleeping much more than usual)

• Changes in appetite (not feeling hungry or over-eating), which may or may not lead to changes in weight.

• Loss of interest in sex

• Experiencing aches and pains

• Menstrual problems

Thinking

• Negative thoughts about yourself, your life, or the future

• More self-critical than usual

• Thinking about death more than usual - even your own death

• Trouble concentrating

• Slow thinking or difficulty making decisions

• Persistent worrying

Emotions

• Feeling sad, miserable, or down

• Feeling worthless or hopeless

• Difficulty feeling interest, pleasure, or enthusiasm

• Feeling irritable, worse temper

• Feeling unable to cope with normal demands - overwhelmed

• Feeling anxious or fearful

WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?

There are several pathways into serious depression. It is often a gradual process, which makes it hard for the person to even realise that a depressive illness has been established. One of the most common 'pathways' into depression is when a person faces several stressful or negative events in a short period of time. The stress affects our mood, thinking, and biology, and all these factors then compound and become depression.

There is no one cause, but some factors involved are:

• STRESS: Interpersonal conflict, unemployment, divorce, childbirth, loneliness, health problems, financial stress, retirement, and losing someone close, can all lead to depression.
• THINKING: When people are depressed, they usually have an overly negative view of themselves, the future, and the world.  They often don’t notice good things, and feel overwhelmed by the bad.
• BIOLOGY: Most people with depression may have an imbalance of chemicals in their brain. This can sometimes be rectified by psychological therapy alone but can also be assisted by antidepressant medication.
• GENETICS: Depression can run in families.

HOW IS DEPRESSION TREATED?

• Depression has both psychological factors and physical changes in our body. Therefore, it is often best treated with a combination of medical and psychological treatments.

Antidepressant Medication

• Antidepressants are safe and work for most people. 
• Antidepressants don’t work straight away – it may take a month to get the maximum benefits.  
• Once an antidepressant is started, it is important to continue for six to 12 months.
• There are a number of different types of antidepressants. Ask your doctor for more information about these medications.  
• GPs and psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants (psychologists do not).

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

• There are a number of different approaches to psychological therapy – the best evidence is for cognitive-behaviour therapy or CBT.
• CBT helps to identify and change your negative thoughts about yourself or the world, and to get you active again.  
• Cognitive therapy is a process of learning which of your thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions may be contributing to your depression. It is possible to learn to change this 'cognitive style'.
• The 'behavioural' part of the treatment is also vital and your therapist can help you set and achieve appropriate goals and activities.

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