Depression

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One in five people will become depressed at some point in their lives. Clinical depression is deeper and more unpleasant than short episodes of feeling low. People who are depressed may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

Persistent low mood
Loss of interest
Loss of enjoyment
Difficulty making decisions
Withdrawing from social contact
Loss of sex drive
Changes to appetite and sometimes weight
Difficulty getting to sleep, and/or sleeping too much
Feeling exhausted
Feeling hopeless
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Sometimes, there may be an obvious reason why someone has become depressed, but not always. Either way, some people will need help. The best treatment for severe depression is a combination of anti-depressant medication and psychological therapy. Mild to moderate depression can respond very well to talking therapy, such as counselling or CBT.