Depression
Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days.
Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.
Some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They’re wrong – it is a real illness with real symptoms. Depression is not a sign of weakness or something you can “snap out of” by “pulling yourself together”.
The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people with depression can make a full recovery.
How to tell if you have depression
Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms.
They range from lasting feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.
There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and various aches and pains.
The symptoms of depression range from mild to severe. At its mildest, you may simply feel persistently low in spirit, while severe depression can make you feel suicidal, that life is no longer worth living.
Most people experience feelings of stress, anxiety or low mood during difficult times. A low mood may improve after a short period of time, rather than being a sign of depression.
For more information and where you can get help, click on any of the following links:
Mind
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/self-care/
Kooth
NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
Childline
https://www.childline.org.uk/?scrlybrkr=54dfb923
Young Minds
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/depression-and-low-mood/
What is depression in Children?
Depression help and guidance for parents?
Additional help and guidance websites
