What is depression?

Everyone feels sad or ‘down’ from time to time. When things don’t go as planned, if a relationship breaks down for example, we can feel fed up and low. People often use the expression ‘I’m depressed’ in these situations but after a few days the mood or feeling passes. Normal life and balanced emotions resume. Short term mood changes in response to events and circumstances are an everyday occurrence. It is when those mood changes become more frequent or developed that genuine depression may be the reason.

Depression is characterised by a significant lowering of our moods and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities we normally enjoy. Major depressive episodes can result in the presentation of emotional, behavioural and physical symptoms such as excessive guilt, sleep disturbances or loss of motivation. A simple way to identify whether or not you are experiencing genuine depression is that low moods will affect all aspects of life, will last for 2 or more weeks and more significantly could lead to suicidal feelings.

Depression can have a devastating effect on all areas of a person’s life – including friendships, family, relationships and the ability to go to work or to school for example. Depression is a major health problem world-wide and tends to begin in adolescence or early adulthood. However, depression can appear in later life and equally can go undetected for several years. This can be for a number of reasons but most typically as sufferers are not always sure that they have depression – or that it is treatable. People can feel ashamed of having depression and feel that they are to blame for their feelings and behaviour. Even today, public perception can indicate that depression is not a real illness. Therefore, years can pass before diagnosis and treatment is sought.

The main thing to remember is that having depression is not a sign of weakness. Recognising that you are suffering from depression is the first sign of taking a positive step towards treatment and recovery. Depression is very common – and more importantly, can be treated.