DEPRESSION

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

Depression is a mood disorder that is characterised by a low mood and possible other symptoms. It is an illness that can develop quickly or slowly and is usually caused by changes in body chemisty or life events. Depression is more than just feeling unhappy for a few days. Those with Depression have constant low moods that can last years it's not something that you can just stop feeling.

Causes of Depression

There is not one cause of Depression. Depression can start due to anything. Depression can start because of life events such as Abuse, Conflict, Death, Major events, birth of a baby or due to medication, illness or possibly a family history of Depression.. Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can cause depression later in life. What happens in the brain to cause depression is not fully understood. Evidence suggests it may be related to changes in the levels or activity of certain chemicals – particularly serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine – which are the three main chemicals related to mood and motivation that carry messages within the brain

Signs of Depression

Depression varys from person to person each person will have different signs of depression. There are common signs to look out for these are:

⦁ Feeling helpless or hopeless

⦁ loss of interest in daily activites

⦁ weight or appetite changes

⦁ sleep changes

⦁ anger or irritablity

⦁ loss of energy

⦁ self-loathing

⦁ Recklessness

⦁ problems concentrating

⦁ unexplained aches and pains

⦁ Feeling suicidal 

It is important that if you notice any of these signs to seek medical attention.

Types of Depression

There are 9 different types of depression. These are

⦁ Major Depression - Also known and Clinical: Depression  in which sadness and disinterest in once enjoyed activities interfere with how you function every day

⦁ Dysthymia Depression - Dysthymia is a type of depression that causes a low mood over a long period of time — perhaps for a year or more

⦁ Postpartum Depression - PostPartum Depression is characterized by feelings of extreme sadness, fatigue, loneliness, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, fears about hurting the baby, and feelings of disconnect from the child. It can occur anywhere from weeks to months after 

⦁ Seasonal affectice disorder - . Though many people find themselves in winter funks, SAD is characterized by symptoms of anxiety, increased irritability, daytime fatigue, and weight gain. This form of depression typically occurs in winter climates, likely due to the lessening of natural sunlight

⦁ Atypical Depression - one of the most common types of depression. Unlike other types of depression, people with atypical depression can be briefly cheered up by positive events, but they overreact to negative events

⦁ Psychotic Depression a mental state characterized by false beliefs, known as delusions, or false sights or sounds, known as hallucinations — doesn't typically get associated with depression however 20% of those with depression have episodes of psychotic depression.

⦁ Bipolar Disorder - If your periods of extreme lows are followed by periods of extreme highs, you could have Bipolar Disorder. Symptoms include feelings energetic or irratble, quick speaking, easily distracted , delusions of hallucinations.

⦁ Premenstrual dysphoric disorder - a type of depression that affects women during the second half of their menstrual cycles. Symptoms include depression, anxiety, and mood swings

⦁ Situational Depression - Situational depression is about three times more common than major depression, and medications are rarely needed : Symptoms of situational depression may include excessive sadness, worry, or nervousness, and if they don't go away, they may become warning signs of major depression.

Treatment part 1:

Treatment for depression usually involves a combination of medicines, talking therapies and self help.

Treatment options

The kind of treatment that your doctor recommends will be based on the type of depression you have. Below is a short description of the types of treatment your doctor may recommend.

Mild depression

Wait and see - 

If you're diagnosed with mild depression, your depression may improve by itself. In this case, you'll simply be seen again by your GP after two weeks to monitor your progress. This is known as watchful waiting.

Exercise - 

Exercise has been proven to help depression, and is one of the main treatments if you have mild depression. Your GP may refer you to a qualified fitness trainer for an exercise scheme or you can find out more about starting exercise here. Read more about exercise for depression.

Self help groups - 

Talking through your feelings can be helpful. It can be either to a friend or relative, or you can ask your GP to suggest a local self-help group. Find out more about depression support groups. Your GP may also recommend self-help books and online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Treatment part 2:

Moderate to severe depression

Antidepressants - Antidepressants are tablets that treat the symptoms of depression. There are almost 30 different kinds of antidepressant. They have to be prescribed by a doctor, usually for depression that is moderate or severe.

Combination therapy - 

Your GP may recommend that you take a course of antidepressants plus talking therapy, particularly if your depression is quite severe. A combination of an antidepressant and CBT usually works better than having just one of these treatments.

Mental health teams - If you have severe depression, you may be referred to a mental health team made up of psychologists, psychiatrists, specialist nurses and occupational therapists. These teams often provide intensive specialist talking treatments as well as prescribed medication. 

Read more detailed information about these and other treatments below.

Talking treatments 

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Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps you understand your thoughts and behaviour and how they affect you.

CBT recognises that events in your past may have shaped you, but it concentrates mostly on how you can change the way you think, feel and behave in the present.

It teaches you how to overcome negative thoughts, for example being able to challenge hopeless feelings.

CBT is available on the NHS for people with depression or any other mental health problem that it has been shown to help.

You normally have a short course of sessions, usually six to eight sessions, over 10-12 weeks on a one-to-one basis with a counsellor trained in CBT. In some cases, you may be offered group CBT.

Online CBT

Computerised CBT is a form of CBT that works through a computer screen, rather than face to face with a therapist.

It's delivered in a series of weekly sessions and should be supported by a healthcare professional. For instance, it's usually prescribed by your GP and you may have to use the surgery computer to access the programme.

Ask your GP for more information or read more about online CBT and the courses available here.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT)

IPT focuses on your relationships with other people and on problems you may be having in your relationships, such as difficulties with communication or coping with bereavement.

There's some evidence that IPT can be as effective as antidepressants or CBT, but more research is needed.

Counselling

Counselling is a form of therapy that helps you think about the problems you are experiencing in your life to find new ways of dealing with them. Counsellors support you in finding solutions to problems, but do not tell you what to do.

Counselling on the NHS usually consists of six to 12 hour-long sessions. You talk in confidence to a counsellor. The counsellor supports you and offers practical advice.

Counselling is ideal for people who are basically healthy but need help coping with a current crisis, such as anger, relationship issues, bereavement, redundancy, infertility or the onset of a serious illness.

Getting help:

Your first port of call should be your GP, who can refer you for NHS talking treatments for depression available locally.

In some parts of the country, you also have the option of self-referral. This means that if you prefer not to talk to your GP you can go directly to a professional therapist.