Depression

How to get help for depression

At some point in our lives we all know how it feels to get so depressed that we hurt inside as if it was a physical pain, and then time goes by or we find a way to solve our problem and we can move on. For some people that feeling doesn’t go away and these feelings start interfering with their lives. This is when it is not so much the expression of “I feel Depressed” but the actual medical definition of depression. 

Please note any of the following information should not replace that of your medical practitioner, Please consult them if you have any questions about your health care.

There are a few known specific forms of depression: 

“Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – this is seasonal depression which is related to day length. It usually comes on in the autumn and winter, when days are short and the sun is low in the sky, and gets better as the days get longer and brighter.

Postnatal depression – many mothers have ‘the baby blues’ soon after the birth of their baby, but it usually passes after a day or two. Postnatal depression is a much more serious problem and can occur any time between two weeks and two years after the birth. 

Bipolar disorder (manic depression) – some people have major mood swings, when periods of depression alternate with periods of mania. When manic, they are in a state of high excitement, and may plan and may try to carry out over-ambitious schemes and ideas. They often then have periods of severe depression.” 

(Source: www.mind.org.uk)

Are you depressed? 

Here are some symptoms of depression, if you relate to more than four of these don’t feel you are alone and don’t be afraid to seek help.

• Feeling low for most of the day for more than two weeks 
• Feeling tired with low energy 
• Loss of interest for things you used to enjoy 
• Loss of self confidence and low self esteem 
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Feeling helpless and hopeless
• Feeling guilty and worthless without reason
• Finding it hard to relate to others 
• Finding it hard to function at work 
• Loss of sex drive or sexual problems
• Loss of appetite or eating more
• Physical aches and pains with no medical reason
• Thinking about suicide of death 
• Self harm 

Who gets depressed?

Anyone can suffer from depression, it does not matter what gender, age or background, it does not care. Depression is very common, it is nothing to be ashamed of and it is not a sign of weakness. 

• “Depression is very common.
• Between 5 and 10 per cent of the population are suffering from the illness to some extent at any one time.
• Over a lifetime you have a 20 per cent, or one in five, chance of having an episode of depression.
• Women are twice as likely to get depression as men.
• Bipolar affective disorder is less common than depressive illness with a life-time risk of around one to two per cent. Men and women are equally affected.” 

 (Source: www.netdoctor.co.uk)

What causes depression?

It is still not known what causes depression, though is thought that it comes from a combination of reasons and has different triggers. It can depend on a persons personal experiences, genes or psychological reasons. 

You are more at risk of developing depression if:

• You are going through a stressful event
• You are cut off from friends and family and you are feeling lonely 
• Physical conditions
• If you already have low self esteem or our overly self critical 
• If someone else in your family has suffered from depression in the past
• If you have given birth 
• You misuse alcohol or drugs
• Side effects of medication

Medical side of depression:

• “Modern brain scans that can look at how 'hard' the brain is working have shown that some areas of the brain (such as at the front) are not working as well as normal.
• Depressed patients have higher than normal levels of stress hormones.
• Various chemical systems in the brain may not be working correctly, including one known as the serotonin or 5-HT system.”

 (Source: www.netdoctor.co.uk)

What treatments are available? 

If you feel you have depression you should seek help form your GP, Many people think it is not important and suffer in silence. It is important and there is help. 

Sometimes there is a trigger for depression and you will know why you feel the way you do but also It can come from no where and there is no obvious reason.

The treatment for depression is usually talking therapy or medication, sometimes a mixture of them both. The treatment your GP recommend will depend on what type of depression you have. 

Some will recommend life style changes

• Eating more healthy
• Cutting down on alcohol 
• Getting more exercise 
• Joining a support group 

If you are diagnosed with mild depression they might suggest:

• Watchful waiting - Waiting to see if it goes by itself, you will be monitored by your GP
• Exercise
• Self help groups - talking about your feelings and finding support is a very important part of recovery 

If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate depression:

• Your GP may refer you to talking therapy such as cognitive behavior (CBT) therapy and counselling. CBT helps your understand your thoughts and behavior and helps you recognize how the events in your past affect you. It helps you change the way you think and act so you can take control of your present life. 

For moderate to severe depression they may:

• Antidepressants - there are almost 30 different kinds of antidepressants and they can help treat symptoms of depression.

• Combination therapy - this is when they give you a course of antidepressants which work alongside talking therapy. 

• Mental health team - they can provide medication as well as an intensive specialist talking treatment. It is made up of nurses, therapists, psychologist and psychiatrists. 

It is a painful and isolating time when you are suffering depression, talk to your family and close friends. Support is needed and you can’t do it alone. If you feel you have no one to talk to or would rather talk to someone different please email us at: team@nurturingnatalsupport.co.uk