Depression
Introduction
What is depression?
We all have low moods from time to time. For instance, if a relationship breaks up we may feel shocked, we may cry, go off our food, get angry and irritable, sleep poorly, and get tetchy and anxious. Usually, the mood passes after a few days and we get back to our normal way of living. We may say that we have been ‘depressed’, ‘down in the dumps’, ‘fed up’ or have had the ‘blues’.
But low moods like this are not what doctors call depression. Instead, they use the term to describe a more severe illness that a person has had for at least a few weeks, affecting the body as well as the mind. It can come on for no reason at all and may sometimes be life threatening. No one symptom indicates whether you have just a low mood or what some people call ‘clinical depression’. Many of the symptoms are similar; however, when you are depressed they are usually more intense and go on for longer.
A simple rule of thumb is that, if your low mood affects all parts of your life, lasts for two weeks or brings you to the point of thinking about suicide, you should seek help. Try to remember that depression is an illness that can be treated and you will feel better in time.
Eighty per cent of people with depression are treated by their GP alone. You shouldn’t worry that he or she will think it a sign of weakness. Family doctors have years of experience in dealing with depression and are trained to diagnose and treat it. They may prescribe tablets, but will probably also tell you about self-help organisations, counselling and psychotherapy or relaxation techniques. You may get advice on ways of decreasing your stress or coming to terms with a bereavement or other loss. GPs are a mine of information.
But if you do not feel that you can talk to your doctor, talk with a friend. You will be surprised how many people have experience of depression either first hand or because they know someone who has been depressed. They may be able to give you support and advice but, even if they just listen, talking to someone usually helps.
How common is depression?
Many famous people have suffered from depression, including Abraham Lincoln, Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill, who called depression his ‘black dog’.
Many writers and actors have suffered from depression. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Styron, who wrote Sophie’s Choice among other things, documented his severe depression and how he survived it in his book Darkness Visible, and the comedian Spike Milligan wrote a book about his depressive illness, Depression and How to Survive It.
Facts about depression
• At least one in four women and one in ten men will suffer from depression in their lifetime.
• Each year doctors diagnose two million cases in the UK.
• On average, each GP in the UK sees one patient with depression a day.
• Depression affects all age groups.
• Young women are more likely to suffer from depression than men.
• Older men are more likely to suffer from depression than older women.
There has been an increase in the rates of depression over the last 40 years which may be the result of the way we live our lives now. For many people, the world is becoming increasingly stressful and stress can lead to depression. Increases in divorce rates and crime rates, longer working hours for some and unemployment for others are just some of the factors that make life a strain for those affected.
Where we live may be important for our risk of depression too. One study showed that people who live in an inner-city area are twice as likely to be depressed as those who live in the Hebrides. Although it has proved difficult to find an exact reason for this, it is clear that your environment is important to your risk of depression.
The risk of depression is influenced by gender and age, and whether or not you are married. Women are more likely to suffer from depression during the reproductive years but, in those aged over 55, men are more likely to suffer depression than women. Those who are separated have a higher risk of depression and men who are widowers are also at increased risk. Married men and women are at lowest risk. The good news is that no matter what the cause of depression it can be treated and treated effectively. Most people who are depressed and get treatment get better.
KEY POINTS
• Low moods are thought of as depression if they persist and affect all parts of your life
• Depression is common
• Depression can be treated effectively
