In this article we will describe 10 facts and figures about depression.
Key points
1. What is depression?
While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time. That is not depression. Depression is a clinical syndrome with characteristic (and predictable):
Depression is more than just a low mood. It is a serious condition that has an impact on both physical and mental health.
2. Who gets depression?
The good news is, depression is treatable and effective treatments are available. It usually gets better .. with time. In fact, time is the best healer (see below).
The sooner a person with depression seeks support, the sooner they can recover.
We will now go through the symptoms of depression, and thus how you can tell if you have depression.
3. Symptoms
A person with depression may feel:
Thoughts caused by depression
A person with depression may have thoughts such as:
Note. There is a significant risk of suicide with serious depression. Such thoughts should be taken seriously, and a doctor involved ASAP.
Behavioural symptoms
A person with depression may:
Physical symptoms
A person with depression may experience:
4. Causes
While the exact cause of depression is not known, a number of things can contribute to it happening.
Generally, depression does not result from a single event, but from a combination of biological, psychological, social and lifestyle factors.
Changes in the brain
There is something called the ‘monoamine hypothesis’. This suggests that there is chemical basis to depression – involving a reduction in the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline in the brain.
Although there has been a lot of research in this complex area, there is still much that we do not know – and this hypothesis is probably too simple. In other words, depression is not just the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. However, disturbances in normal chemical messaging processes between nerve cells in the brain contribute to depression.
5. Risk factors
Personal factors that can lead to a risk of depression include:
Life events can trigger depression
Continuing life difficulties – such as long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness or prolonged exposure to stress at work – can increase the risk of depression.
Also significant adverse life events – such as losing a job, going through a separation or divorce, or being diagnosed with a serious illness – may also trigger depression; particularly among people who are already at risk because of genetic and other factors.
6. What are NHS services are available for depression?
Quite alot actually. Most depression can be dealt with by either your GP or an NHS counsellor called an IAPT.
Primary mental healthcare
Secondary mental healthcare
7. Treatment
5 key principles of treatment of depression
Self-help methods for depression
Self-care is how you take care of yourself through your diet, exercise, daily routine and relationships. It’s a simple way to help manage symptoms of depression. You will learn how to notice when you are becoming unwell and know what your triggers are. Mobile phone apps can be very helpful too. More about them below.
Talking therapies for depression
Talking therapies are available through the NHS (like IAPTs). You can also get talking therapy privately, some charities, and sometimes through your employer. It may be not all therapies are available in your area. Some types of therapy include:
The type of therapy you are offered will depend on how severe your symptoms are, and what’s causing your depression.
Medication for depression
You may be offered antidepressant tablets alongside other treatment. You can work with your doctor to find the right one for you, it is common to try different ones to find the best fit.
Common antidepressant drugs include:
It’s important to talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking your medication, because stopping suddenly can cause problems.
Brain stimulation – electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
ECT is a treatment for severe, life-threatening, depression. Or you may be given ECT if no other treatments have worked. In this treatment, an electrical current is briefly passed through your brain while you are under general anaesthetic.
8. What mobile phone apps are available for depression?
These can be very helpful in depression.
Calm. Improve your health and happiness with the calm app. It may help improve your sleep quality, reduce your anxiety and stress levels, or just improve your focus.
https://www.calm.com
Calm Harm – Self Harm. This app can help you reduce the urge to self-harm and manage your emotions in a positive way.
https://stem4.org.uk/new-calm-harm-app-features
Stay Alive. This is a suicide prevention resource packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts about suicide, or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.
https://www.stay-alive-app
Virtual Hope Box
The VHB can be used to store a variety of content that users find personally supportive in times of need. It can include family photos, videos and recorded messages from loved ones, inspirational quotes, music you find especially soothing or reminders of previous successes.
https://www.my-therappy.co.uk/app/virtual-hope-box
Worry Tree
This aims to help you take control worry. You can use the app to record whatever you feel worried about. It uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to help you notice and challenge your worries. It can also help you create an action plan for managing worry.
https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/worrytree
9. What urgent mental health support is available for depression (especially if you feel suicidal)?
10. Prognosis (outlook)
The outlook is good for most patients. Depressive episodes typically last 3-6 months with treatment, and most people recover completely within 12 months.
We have described 10 facts and figures about depression. Time is a great healer, and medication is powerful and very effective. Not all patients need medication. For them, talk therapy can be effective. There is alot you and the NHS can do to help you get better.
10 facts and figures about anxiety and panic attacks
This is good information from the NICE website
This is good advice on lifestyle changes you can make from a NZ website