How to recognise depression

NHS Warrington is highlighting the affects of depression for Depression Awareness Week – which starts on Sunday.
Depression is a common experience and at least one in five people will experience symptoms of depression at some time. It can affect anyone, of any age.
Depression Awareness Week aims to increase people’s ability to recognise depression and encourages people to seek support.
Caroline Jenkins, the health improvement project co-ordinator for mental health at NHS Warrington said: “The word ‘depression’ is often used in everyday language to mean ‘a bit fed up’ and there are many misconceptions about the condition.
“Depression is more than feeling sad or a bit down for a few days, it involves intense emotions of anxiety, hopelessness and negativity. It can affect the way we think and feel, to the extent that we stop enjoying life.
“Depression is often caused by a combination of different stresses or traumas, such as bereavement, illness, pressure at work, exam stress, relationship problems, or financial difficulties. Sometimes however there is no clear cause for depression.”
Some common symptoms of depression are: Feeling sad, guilty or upset; Losing interest in things; Crying a lot, or being unable to cry; Feeling alone, even when in company; Tiredness and loss of energy; Restlessness; Loss of self-confidence; Feeling anxious all the time; Thinking about suicide and death; Self-harm.
Anyone with a number of these symptoms for more than two weeks could be experiencing depression and should seek help from their GP as depression can be successfully treated.
More information about depression and available support can be found at the website: www.depressionalliance.org