What is depression?
Depression is a low mood that can last for a sustained period and affects your everyday life. The severity of depression can vary from mild to moderate to severe. If mild it may not stop you from leading a normal life but it can make things harder and keep you in low spirits. At it's most severe, depression can be life-threatening and make you feel suicidal.
When can low mood turn to depression?
If the feelings are interfering with your life and don't go away after a couple of weeks, or if they come back over and over again for a few days at a time, it could be a sign that you're experiencing depression.
Common signs and symptoms of depression
You might feel
• upset, tearful, or down
• restless or irritable
• worthless and down on yourself
• empty and numb
• isolated and unable to relate to other people
• finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
• a sense of unreality
• no self-confidence or self-esteem
• hopeless and despairing
• suicidal.
What types of depression are there?
You can have mild, moderate, or severe depression. There are also specific depression types such as:
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – a depression that happens at a certain times of year, or particular season.
Dysthymia – (depressive disorder or chronic depression). This is a mild depression that lasts for two years or more.
Bipolar disorder is manic depression - The cycles can be short or very long-lasting for several weeks or even months. There are four major categories of bipolar disorder: Bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. The third is Cyclothymic disorder and the fourth is a bipolar disorder due to another medical or substance abuse disorder.
Prenatal depression – (sometimes called antenatal depression) this depression happens during pregnancy.
Postnatal depression (PND) – this depression typically occurs a year after giving birth.
There are small steps that you can take to help with depression but there may come a time when you need additional help and talking with a impartial counsellor can help.
If this article rings true to you and you are looking for help, then please contact us and we can discuss how counselling sessions can help you. We work with clients all across Gloucestershire. Our clinic is 25 minutes from Cirencester and ten minutes from Tetbury.