Depression is quite different from the common experience of feeling miserable or fed-up for a while. By the year 2020 depression is likely to be second after cardiovascular disease in the 'league table' of the world's most disabling diseases.4 A recent report by Depression Alliance suggests that three quarters (75%) of all the people in England have experienced either depression or anxiety.5 With numbers like this, it's quite unusual NOT to have had experience of anxiety or depression!
When we’re depressed, we may have feelings of sadness or despair that can last a very long time. These feelings interfere with our daily lives, and can last for many weeks or months.
Depression is a common condition, about 15% of people will have severe depression at some point in their lives. However, the exact number of people with depression is hard to estimate because many people do not get help, or are not diagnosed.
It's thought that women may be more likely to suffer from depression than men, although this may be, in part, because men are less likely to seek help than women.
Depression can affect people of any age, including children. Studies have shown that 2% of teenagers in the UK are affected by depression.
Depression affects people in many different ways, and can cause a wide variety of physical, psychological and emotional symptoms. Many people become accustomed to, and live with, a long-term lowering of mood which drains the pleasure from life. The very feelings of hopelessness that accompany depression prevent many people from seeking help - they ask themselves 'what's the point?'
When we start asking ourselves 'what's the point?' it's a good indicator that we may be depressed - after all, when we're not depressed, this isn't a question we even consider. We just get on with life.
There are many different factors that can trigger depression. For some people, upsetting or stressful life events such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy, and job or money worries can be the cause. People with a family history of depression are more likely to get depression themselves.
Studies have shown that different versions of a gene (known as 5-HTT) can be inherited, which can have an effect on a natural mood-changing chemical in our brains called serotonin. About 20% of people have got the 'short' version of the 5-HTT gene, and it is these people who are more likely to develop depression after a stressful event. Children inherit the 5-HTT gene from their parents, so having a history of depression in the family can increase our risk of developing it. In other words, we may have a 'genetic predisposition' for depression. However, just because there is depression in our family doesn't necessarily mean we will get it. Also, many people with no genetic predisposition also become depressed.
Research has shown there to be a link between depression and an imbalance of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. People who are depressed have a lower level of certain types of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, than people who are not. It is not fully understood whether this imbalance is a result of depression, or a cause of it.
There is rarely one single cause of depression - usually, different causes combine to trigger the condition. For example, you may feel low after an illness and then experience a stressful life event, such as bereavement, which leads to depression. Sometimes we can identify no reasons at all.
People talk about a 'downward spiral' of events that can lead to depression. For example, if a person's relationship with their partner breaks down, they are likely to feel low, they may stop seeing friends and family and they may start drinking more - all of which can make them feel even worse and trigger depression.
When we're depressed, we often lose interest in things that we used to enjoy. In fact, the very things that used to make us happy can make us feel even worse when we're depressed!
Depression interferes with work and our social and family life. One way of thinking about depression is in terms of it's psychological, physical and social symptoms.
Psychological symptoms
Physical symptoms
Social symptoms
It's important to remember that depression can be very serious - for some people depression is a constant experience that drains all joy from life. For others, it can stop them in their tracks and lead them to consider suicide. If you think you might be suffering from depression, please speak with your Doctor as soon as possible - many of the new antidepressants can help, as can talking with someone about how you feel. The Serenity Programme™ for depression is still under development, please check back soon or contact us for an estimate of when it will be available.
It is important to understand that many factors other than depression or anxiety can cause some of the 'symptoms' listed above. Diagnoses can only be provided by appropriately trained health professionals. If you are concerned in any way about your symptoms, please consult with a trained professional.