Melancholic Mood, Despair

We all feel fed up, miserable or sad at times. These feelings don't usually last longer than a week or two, and they don't interfere too much with our lives. Sometimes there's a reason, sometimes not. We usually cope - we may talk to a friend but don't otherwise need any help.

However, in depression: your feelings don't lift after a few days, they carry on for weeks or months are so bad that they interfere with your life.

What does it feel like?

Most people with depression will not have all the symptoms listed below, but most will have at least five or six.

You:
- feel unhappy most of the time (but may feel a little better in the evenings),

- lose interest in life and can't enjoy anything,

- find it harder to make decisions,

- can't cope with things that you used to …

- feel utterly tired,

- feel restless and agitate,

- lose appetite and weight, some people find they do the opposite,

- take 1-2 hours to get off to sleep, and then wake up earlier than usual,

- lose interest in sex,

- lose your self-confidence,

- feel useless, inadequate and hopeless,

- avoid other people,

- feel irritable,   

- feel worse at a particular time each day, usually in the morning,

- think of suicide.

You may not realize how depressed you are for a while, especially if it has come on gradually. You try to struggle on and may even start to blame yourself for being lazy or lacking willpower. It sometimes takes a friend or a partner to persuade you that there really is a problem which can be helped.

You may start to notice pains, constant headaches or sleeplessness. Physical symptoms like this can be the first sign of depression.

Why does it happen?

As with our everyday feelings of low mood, there will sometimes be an obvious reason for becoming depressed, sometimes not. It can be a disappointment, a frustration, or that you have lost something - or someone – important to you. There is often more than one reason, and these will be different for different people.

They include: Things that happen in our lives. It is normal to feel depressed after a distressing event - bereavement, a divorce or losing a job. You may well spend a lot of time over the next few weeks or months thinking and talking about it. After a while you come to terms with what's happened. But you may get stuck in a depressed mood, which doesn't seem to lift.

Circumstances:

If you are alone, have no friends around, are stressed, have other worries or are physically run down, you are more likely to become depressed.

Physical Illness:

Physical illnesses can affect the way the brain works and so cause depression. 

These include life-threatening illnesses like cancer and heart disease long and/or painful illnesses, like arthritis viral infections like 'flu' or glandular fever - particularly in younger people hormonal problems, like an under-active thyroid.

Personality;

Some of us seem to be more vulnerable to depression than others. This may be because of our genes, because of experiences early in our life, or both.

Alcohol;

Regular heavy drinking makes you more likely to get depressed – and, indeed, to kill yourself.

Gender;

Women seem to get depressed more often than men. It may be that men are less likely to talk about their feelings, and more likely to deal with them by drinking heavily or becoming aggressive. Women are more likely to have the double stress of having to work and look after children.

Genes;

Depression can run in families. If you have one parent who has become severely depressed, you are about eight times more likely to become depressed yourself.

What about bipolar disorder (manic depression)?

About one in 10 people who suffer from serious depression will also have periods when they are too happy and overactive. This used to be called manic depression, but is now often called Bipolar Disorder. It affects the same number of men and women and tends to run in families.

Isn't depression just a form of weakness?

Other people may think that you have just 'given in', as if you have a choice in the matter. The fact is there comes a point at which depression is much more like an illness than anything else. It can happen to the most determined of people, even powerful personalities can experience deep depression. Winston Churchill called it his ‘black dog'.

When should I seek help?

When your feelings of depression are worse than usual and don't seem to get any better. When your feelings of depression affect your work, interests and feelings towards your family and friends. If you find yourself feeling that life is not worth living, or that other people would be better off without you.

It may be enough to talk things over with a relative or friend. If this doesn't help, you probably need to talk it over with your GP. You may find that your friends and family have noticed a difference in you and have been worried about you.

Helping yourself.

Don't keep it to yourself. If you've had some bad news, or a major upset, tell someone close to you, tell them how you feel. You may need to talk (and maybe cry) about it more than once. This is part of the mind's natural way of healing.

Do something; Get out of doors for some exercise, even if only for a walk. This will help you to keep physically fit, and will help you sleep. Even if you can't work, it's good to keep active. This could be housework, do-it-yourself (even as little as changing a light bulb), or any activity that is part of your normal routine.

Eat well;

You may not feel like eating, but try to eat regularly. Depression can make you lose weight and run short of vitamins which will only make you feel worse. Fresh fruit and vegetables are particularly helpful.

Beware alcohol!

Try not to drown your sorrows with a drink. Alcohol actually makes depression worse. It may make you feel better for a short while, but it doesn't last. Drinking can stop you dealing with important problems and from getting the right help. It's also bad for your physical health.

…. and cannabis;

While cannabis can help you to relax, there is now evidence that regular use, particularly in teenagers, can bring on depression.

Sleep;

If you can't sleep, try not to worry about it. Settle down with some relaxing music or television while you're lying in bed. Your body will get a chance to rest and, with your mind occupied, you may feel less anxious and find it easier to get some sleep.

Tackle the cause

If you think you know what is behind your depression, it can help to write down the problem and then think of the things you could do to tackle it. Pick the best things to do and try them.

Keep hopeful

Remind yourself that:

Many other people have had depression. It may be hard to believe, but you will eventually come out of it. Depression can sometimes be helpful; you may come out of it stronger and better able to cope. It can help you to see situations and relationships more clearly. You may be able to make important decisions and changes in your life, which you have avoided in the past.

What kind of help is available?

Most people with depression are treated by their GP. Depending on your symptoms, the severity of the depression and the circumstances, your doctor may suggest:

- self-help

- talking treatments

- antidepressant tablets

- Guided self-help; This can include:

- Self-help leaflets or books, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles.

- Self help computer programs or the internet.

- Exercise: 3 sessions per week for 45 minutes, for between 10 and 12 weeks.

Whichever of these is right for you depends on your personality and lifestyle.

Talking treatments

There are many different sorts of psychotherapy available, some of which are very effective for people with mild to moderate depression. They include:

Counseling

Simply talking about your feelings can be helpful, however depressed you are. Sometimes it is hard to express your real feelings even to close friends. Talking things through with a trained counselor or therapist can be easier. It can be a relief to get things off your chest, and it can help you to be clearer about how you feel about your life and other people. There may be a counselor at your GP surgery with whom you can talk, or your GP can refer you to a local counseling.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Many of us have habits of thinking which, quite apart from what is happening in life, are likely to make us depressed and keep us depressed. CBT helps you to:

1. identify any unrealistic and unhelpful ways of thinking

2. then develop new, more helpful ways of thinking and behaving.

Problem-solving therapy

This helps you to be clear about your key problems, how to break them down into manageable bits and how to develop problem-solving skills.

Couple therapy

If your depression seems connected with your relationship with your partner, then “relate” can be helpful in enabling you to sort out your feelings, it is an organization that specializes in working with couples.

Support groups

If you have become depressed while suffering from a disability or caring for a relative, then sharing experiences with others in a self-help group may give you the support you need.

Bereavement counseling

If you are not able to get over the death of someone close to you, you need to talk about it with a specialist bereavement counselor.

Interpersonal and psychodynamic psychotherapy;

This may be more suitable if you have had long-standing difficulties with your life or relationships. This tends to be a longer-term treatment, and helps you to see how your past experiences may be affecting your life here and now.

Group therapy;

Talking in groups can be helpful in changing how you behave with other people. You get the chance, in a safe and supportive environment, to hear how people see you, and the opportunity to try out different ways of behaving and talking.

Talking treatments do take time to work. Sessions usually last about an hour and you might need anywhere from five to 30 sessions. Some therapists will see you weekly, others every two to three weeks.

Problems with talking treatments; These treatments are usually very safe, but they can have unwanted effects. Talking about things can bring up bad memories from the past and this can make you feel worse for a while. Others have reported that therapy can change their outlook and the way they relate to friends and family. Therapy can put a strain on a close relationship. Make sure that you can trust your therapist and that they have the necessary training. If you are concerned about having therapy, talk it over with your doctor or therapist. 

Antidepressants;

If your depression is severe or goes on for a long time, your doctor may suggest a course of antidepressants. These are not tranquillizers, although they may help you to feel less anxious and agitated. They can help people with depression to feel and cope better, so that they can start to enjoy life and deal with their problems effectively again. Although there is a continuing debate about how much more effective they are than placebo - dummy drug, they seem to be most helpful in more severe depressions.

If you do start taking antidepressants, you probably won't feel any effect on your mood for two or three weeks. You may notice that you start to sleep better and feel less anxious after a few days.

How do antidepressants work?

The brain is made up of millions of cells which transmit messages from one to another using tiny amounts of chemical substances called neurotransmitters. Upwards of 100 different chemicals are active in different areas of the brain. It is thought that in depression, two of these neurotransmitters are particularly affected, Serotonin, sometimes referred to as 5HT, and Noradrenaline. Antidepressants increase concentrations of these two chemicals at nerve endings and so seem to boost the function of those parts of the brain that use Serotonin and Noradrenaline. Even so, it is not certain that this is the actual mechanism that improves your mood.

Problems with antidepressants; Like all medicines, antidepressants have side-effects, though these are usually mild and tend to wear off after a couple of weeks. The newer antidepressants (called SSRIs) may make you feel a bit sick at first and you may feel more anxious for a short while. The older type of antidepressants can cause a dry mouth and constipation. Your doctor can advise you on what to expect, and will want to know about anything that worries you. 

If an antidepressant makes you sleepy, you should take it at night, so it can help you to sleep. However, if you feel sleepy during the day, you should not drive or work with machinery until the effect wears off. Alcohol can make you very sleepy if you drink while taking the tablets, so it is best avoided. You can eat a normal diet while taking most of these tablets.

Your GP, not a psychiatrist, will usually be the one who prescribes an antidepressant. At first, he or she will need to see you regularly to make sure the tablets agree with you. If they do help, it is advisable to stay on them for at least 6 months after you feel better. If you have had more than one episode of depression, you may have to stay on them for longer than this. When it is time to stop, you should come off them slowly with the advice of your doctor.

People often worry that antidepressants are 'addictive'. Certainly, you may get withdrawal symptoms if you stop an antidepressant suddenly. These can include anxiety, diarrhoea and vivid dreams or even nightmares. This can nearly always be avoided by slowly reducing the dose before stopping. Unlike drugs such as Valium (or nicotine or alcohol), you don't have to keep taking an increasing amount to get the same effect, and you will not find yourself craving an antidepressant.

Antidepressants and young people;

There are some limits to the use of antidepressants for younger people, in their teens. There is some evidence that SSRI antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts in young people, so there are limits on their use: Fluoxetine is the only SSRI antidepressant licensed for use with young people. It should usually be used only in addition to a psychological therapy. It should be given under the direction of a psychiatrist. The young person should be seen every week at least for the first 4 weeks.

Which is right for me - antidepressants or talking treatments?

If your depression is mild, then you probably won't need an antidepressant. But if your depression has gone on for a long time or is affecting you badly, then it may be worth trying an antidepressant at the same time as a course of talking therapy. People often find that it is useful to have some form of psychotherapy after their mood has improved with antidepressants. It can help you to work on some of the things in your life that might otherwise make you become depressed again. So, it may not be a case of one treatment or the other, but what is most helpful for you at a particular time. Both talking treatments and antidepressants are about equally effective in helping people get better from moderate depression.. 

Many psychiatrists believe that antidepressants are more effective in treating severe depression. Some people just don't like the idea of medication; some don't like the idea of psychotherapy. So there is obviously a degree of personal choice. This is limited by the fact that proper counseling and psychotherapy are not readily available in some areas of the country.

When you are low, it can be difficult to work out what you should do. Talk it over with friends or family or people you trust. They might be able to help you decide.

Will I need to see a psychiatrist?

Probably not. Most people with depression get the help they need from their GP. If you don't improve and need more specialist help, you will be referred to a specialist in the treatment of emotional and mental disorders. Therapist will have specialist training and experience in mental health problems.

The first interview with a psychotherapist will probably last about an hour. You may be invited to bring a relative or friend with you if you wish. The psychotherapist will want to find out about your general background, and about any serious illnesses or emotional problems you may have had in the past. He or she will ask about what has been happening in your life recently, how the depression has developed and whether you have had any treatment for it already. 

It can sometimes be difficult to answer all these questions, but they help the doctor to get to know you as a person and to get an idea of what would be good options for you. This might be practical advice, or suggesting different treatments, perhaps involving members of your family. If your depression is severe or needs specialist treatment, you might need to come into hospital – but this is only needed for 1 in every 100 people with depression.

What will happen if I don’t get any treatment?

The good news is that 4 out of 5 people with depression will get completely better without any help in about 4-6 months, sometimes more. So, why bother to treat depression? - Although 4 out of 5 people get better in time, this still leaves 1 in 5 who are still depressed two years later. As yet, we can't accurately predict who will get better and who will not. Even if you get better eventually, the experience can be so unpleasant that you may feel that you want to shorten the time you are depressed. Moreover, if you have a first episode of depression, you have a roughly 50:50 chance of having another one. A small number of people with depression will eventually kill themselves.

Taking up some of the suggestions in this leaflet may shorten a period of depression. If you can overcome it by yourself, then that will give you a feeling of achievement and confidence to tackle such feelings again if you feel low in the future. However, if the depression is severe or goes on for a long time, it may stop you from being able to work and enjoy life.

How can I help someone who is depressed?

Listen. This can be harder than it sounds. You may have to hear the same thing over and over again. It's usually best not to offer advice unless it's asked for, even if the answer seems perfectly clear to you. If depression has been brought on by a particular problem, you may be able to help find a solution or at least a way of tackling the difficulty. It's helpful just to spend time with someone who is depressed. You can encourage them, help them to talk, and help them to keep going with some of the things they normally do. Someone who is depressed will find it hard to believe that they can ever get better. You can reassure them that they will get better, but you may have to repeat this over and over again. Make sure that they are buying enough food and eating enough. Help them to stay away from alcohol. If they are getting worse and start to talk of not wanting to live or even hinting at harming themselves, take them seriously. Make sure that they tell their doctor. Encourage them to accept help. Don't discourage them from taking medication, or seeing a counselor or psychotherapist. If you have worries about the treatment, then you may be able to discuss them first with the doctor.