What is Depression?
Depression can affect all areas of our lives from sleeping and eating habits, relationships and self-esteem, to our interests and hobbies, in activities and drug and alcohol abuse. Symptoms of depression can include:
- Headaches, stomach problems, chronic pains that don’t improve with treatment
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Poor judgement
- Racing thoughts
- Always feeling sad, anxious or empty
- Constant fatigue
- Irritable and snappy
- Disengaged and withdrawn
It’s common for people suffering with depression to have more than one symptom at a time. If your depression symptoms have lasted longer than 2 weeks and you have stopped taking pleasure in the things in life you usually enjoy, it’s time to seek help. You can turn to your GP for options which could include talking therapies and medication. Alternatively, make use of your Employee Assistance Programme at work if you have one. Conversations with your doctor are always confidential and there is never any shame in seeking help. You can look at some of our self-help tools in the meantime or, if you or somebody you know are in crisis, you can always call our helpline at any time for instant support.
