Depression

Sometimes there may be an obvious reason for becoming depressed, such as a relationship breakdown, bereavement or even the birth of a child. On other occasions it is not clear. However, either way, these feelings can become so bad that you feel its time to ask for help.

The feeling of depression is deeper, longer and more unpleasant than the short episodes of unhappiness that everyone experiences occasionally.

Symptoms include:

• losing interest in life
• finding it harder to make decisions
• not coping with things that used to be manageable
• feeling exhausted
• feeling restless and agitated
• loss of appetite and weight
• difficulty getting to sleep

People often don’t realise how depressed they are because it has come on so gradually, and may try to struggle on and cope by being very busy. This can make them even more stressed and exhausted. Physical pains such as constant headaches or sleeplessness then start. Sometimes these physical symptoms can be the first sign of a depression.

Treatment

Capio Nightingale Hospital has a number of treatment options to help people work through their depression. These comprise individually tailored outpatient, inpatient and day care treatment programmes, and a range of therapies proven to help overcome everything from anxiety problems to the most severe depression.

Helping someone else

If you know someone who is depressed, listen to them but try not to judge them, and don’t offer advice unless they ask for it. However, if you can see the problem that is behind the depression, you could work with them to find the solution. Spending time with them, listening to their problems over and over, and encouraging them to keep going with activities in their routine are all helpful. If they seem to be getting worse, please encourage them to visit their doctor and to acknowledge that they need treatment.

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