Depression
If you have feelings of intense sadness, a lack of energy and difficulty coping with daily life that last for two weeks or more, you may be living with depression. Common symptoms of depression include a loss of interest in activities, feeling helpless or worthless, a lack of concentration, changes to sleeping and eating, fatigue, feeling restless, obsessive thinking, and thinking about death and suicide. Exact symptoms will differ from person to person.
Depression can be treated and therefore it is important that you speak to a member of your clinical team or GP should you think you are depressed.
The following video explains what is it like to live with depression:
Treatments vary and include:
- Talking therapies (which involve talking to a trained professional about thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Professionals can include psychologists, psychiatrists, psychological therapists, counsellors and psychological wellbeing practitioners. NHS Talking Therapies can help with anxiety and depression.)
- Medication (there are many types that may help with anxiety and depression, including fluoxetine, sertraline and venlafaxine).
People who are depressed often end up doing less and less, whereas evidence shows that steadily doing more of the things that matter to you can help shift your mood. In addtion, diet and exercise can help with mild symptoms of depression.
Further information and support can be found at www.mind.org.uk. If you are feeling suicidal, it is important you get help as soon as you can by calling your community mental health team, visiting your hospital’s Emergency Department, or calling 111. You can also call Samaritans free on 016 123 (www.samaritans.org).
Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis, want some mental health support and need immediate help but would prefer not to talk. Text SHOUT to 85258.