Depression – What is It?
Depression is a serious mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of joy. It can be very hard to live with, but it’s a treatable illness that often responds well to treatment.
It’s very common and affects millions of people in the UK every year.
There are many different types of depression and it can happen at any age. It can be caused by a number of things, including stress, changes in your life and the brain’s chemistry.
It can also be triggered by events such as a bereavement, a loss of a job or an illness. The most important thing to remember is that depression is a serious mental health condition and it should not be ignored.
The first step is to seek help and support from a doctor or a mental health professional. The sooner you get help, the more likely you are to recover.
A health professional will do a full diagnostic evaluation, which involves an interview and physical examination to rule out other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms as depression. The evaluation can also include a blood test to check for thyroid or vitamin deficiencies that may be the cause of the depressive symptoms.
Your healthcare provider will talk to you about the different treatments available and how they work. These include antidepressants, a form of psychotherapy called talk therapy and self-help techniques such as a diary and a list of things that make you feel better.
These can be taken together or separately. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and have few side effects. They increase the availability of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can improve your mood. They should not be taken with certain drugs, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors and in some cases thioridazine or Orap (pimozide).
They can help you manage your mood by helping you to change the way you think about things. They can also help you to relax and sleep more, which will often make your depressive symptoms less severe.
It can be helpful to keep a mood diary, which can be a good way of identifying the early signs of depression and how it changes. It can also be useful to talk about your feelings with someone you trust, such as a family member or a friend.
Getting enough exercise is known to reduce symptoms of depression. Try to do something active each day, even if it’s just a walk around the block or a few minutes of stretching.
Eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep can also help you to maintain your mental health. The key is to be aware of how your diet and sleep habits can affect your mood, and try to make changes that will make you feel more alert and able to enjoy life.
Being in a good emotional and social environment can also be very helpful. This includes having a close support network and spending time with people you love, such as friends, family or members of your local community.
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