The term, "I feel depressed" is one that we have all uttered at some point in our lives. It's usually because we are feeling particulalry sad or down about something. Our spirits and mood are low. It is only when these feelings persist that "feeling depressed" might crossover into the medical definition of the word depression.
Depression is actually a very common disorder. When taken in conjunction with anxiety, depression is the most common mental disorder in England, suffered by 9.7 per cent of the population (The Health & Social Care Information Centre 2009). In addition, the ONS found that one in ten people in Britain will suffer from depression at any one time.
The reason why depression and anxiety are sometimes combined in survey findings and research such as this is that anxiety is often systematic of depression. Having said that, depression can conversely be a symptom of an anxiety disorder and this in turn can make diagnosis tricky. Indeed, the list of symptoms for depression is long and sometimes vague. For instance, symptoms can include insomnia, feeling sad and teary, low self-esteem, losing interest in your surroundings, lack of sex drive and weight loss or weight gain.
But the truth is, we all experience some of these things at some point in our lives. Does this mean we are depressed? And when should we take action? The answer to this is to evaluate how often you feel this way. Feeling occasionally tearful is normal, but if you feel a number of these symptoms everyday for two weeks than book an appointment to see your GP.
The way in which depression is treated will vary according to the nature of depression diagnosed. There is no one cause of depression. A genetic link has been established with regards to manic depression. But while a family history of depression does increase the likelihood of getting it, there has been no solid evidence to suggest a genetic basis to regular depression.
Additional causes and triggers for depression include the death of a loved one and other stressful changes in one's life, such as the end of a relationship or starting a new job. Links have also been made between poor diet and lack of exercise and depression. Furthermore, some prescribed drugs as well as narcotics can produce symptoms of depression as a side effect.
When you doctor diagnoses you with depression they should take into account both your current state and your medical history. This is to enable them to find a suitable treatment for your particular form of depression. However, many doctors simply prescribe anti-depressants as a catch-all solution. This isn't always ideal because anti-depressants have only been found to be clinically significant in their treating of severe forms of depression. In turn, there are a number of other treatments that do not include drugs that are becoming increasingly noteworthy in their effectiveness.
Depression can in some cases go away after a short period and for this reason your doctor might prescribe a wait-and-see approach to monitor your symptoms and see if they intensify or improve. Alternatively, psychological treatments include a number of different talking therapies. These can vary greatly in approach from guided self help, which uses books under the guidance of a healthcare worker to cognitive behaviour therapy, which actively focuses on negative behaviour and thoughts and teaches ways to readdress them. Treatment can be offered long-term or short-term as befits your diagnosis. The most important thing when dealing with depression is to know you are not alone and seek professional help should your symptoms persist.
Depression is actually a very common disorder. When taken in conjunction with anxiety, depression is the most common mental disorder in England, suffered by 9.7 per cent of the population (The Health & Social Care Information Centre 2009). In addition, the ONS found that one in ten people in Britain will suffer from depression at any one time.
The reason why depression and anxiety are sometimes combined in survey findings and research such as this is that anxiety is often systematic of depression. Having said that, depression can conversely be a symptom of an anxiety disorder and this in turn can make diagnosis tricky. Indeed, the list of symptoms for depression is long and sometimes vague. For instance, symptoms can include insomnia, feeling sad and teary, low self-esteem, losing interest in your surroundings, lack of sex drive and weight loss or weight gain.
But the truth is, we all experience some of these things at some point in our lives. Does this mean we are depressed? And when should we take action? The answer to this is to evaluate how often you feel this way. Feeling occasionally tearful is normal, but if you feel a number of these symptoms everyday for two weeks than book an appointment to see your GP.
The way in which depression is treated will vary according to the nature of depression diagnosed. There is no one cause of depression. A genetic link has been established with regards to manic depression. But while a family history of depression does increase the likelihood of getting it, there has been no solid evidence to suggest a genetic basis to regular depression.
Additional causes and triggers for depression include the death of a loved one and other stressful changes in one's life, such as the end of a relationship or starting a new job. Links have also been made between poor diet and lack of exercise and depression. Furthermore, some prescribed drugs as well as narcotics can produce symptoms of depression as a side effect.
When you doctor diagnoses you with depression they should take into account both your current state and your medical history. This is to enable them to find a suitable treatment for your particular form of depression. However, many doctors simply prescribe anti-depressants as a catch-all solution. This isn't always ideal because anti-depressants have only been found to be clinically significant in their treating of severe forms of depression. In turn, there are a number of other treatments that do not include drugs that are becoming increasingly noteworthy in their effectiveness.
Depression can in some cases go away after a short period and for this reason your doctor might prescribe a wait-and-see approach to monitor your symptoms and see if they intensify or improve. Alternatively, psychological treatments include a number of different talking therapies. These can vary greatly in approach from guided self help, which uses books under the guidance of a healthcare worker to cognitive behaviour therapy, which actively focuses on negative behaviour and thoughts and teaches ways to readdress them. Treatment can be offered long-term or short-term as befits your diagnosis. The most important thing when dealing with depression is to know you are not alone and seek professional help should your symptoms persist.
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If you'd like to know further points of view on depression, be sure to have a look at some self help dvds and self help books on the subject.
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