Depression Awareness Week
Posted: 22nd Apr 2015
Depression Awareness week 2015 is taking place 20th - 26th April.
Depression Awareness Week
What is depression?
There are times when we all feel sad, hopeless or fed up; it’s part of life. Depression is different. With depression these feelings don’t just go away. They can last for months, becoming so intense that carrying on with everyday life can become impossible.
Depression can be hard to spot. There are many different symptoms, some emotional and some physical. These are some of the most common, so if you’ve experienced four or more for most of the day, nearly every day for over two weeks, it might be time to talk to someone and visit your GP for help.
- Tiredness and loss of energy
- Persistent sadness
- Loss of confidence and self-esteem
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Avoiding others and becoming isolated and lonely
- Not being able to enjoy things that are usually pleasurable or interesting
- Undue feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
- Sleeping problems – difficulties in getting off to sleep or waking much earlier than usual
- Finding it hard to function at work/college/school
- Change in appetite
- Loss of sex drive and/ or sexual problems
- Physical aches and pains
- Thinking about suicide and death
- Self-harm
Treatment
There are many different ways to treat depression, and for most people recovery starts with a visit to the GP. Once your GP understands your symptoms and has reached a diagnosis, you’ll need to agree on a treatment together. The treatment your GP suggests will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the local services available, but it’s your choice so you’ll need to agree on it together as a partnership. The more comfortable and informed you feel about your treatment the more likely it is to help you through recovery.
Treatment for depression comes under three main areas, and most people find it helpful to explore them in combination.
Click on the links above for help from our What You Should Know About Depression site.
If you have moderate-severe depression you may find your GP talks mainly about medication and talking therapies, but you can also ask them about self-help or start exploring it yourself when you feel well enough.
Depression Alliance has a wealth of self-help information and resources, including Friends in Need and their membership services.
Useful contacts
Anxiety UK works to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including 1:1 therapy.
Helpline 08444 775 774 Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm
Helpline for men at risk of suicide, or wishing to talk to someone.
0800 5858585 or 0808 8025858 if you are within London. (5pm – midnight, everyday) London text service (start your first message CALM 1) and Merseyside text service (start your first message CALM 2) on 07537 404 717. Same service hours.
Helpline providing advice & information for carers on any issue including benefits, residential care, the Carer’s Act and respite care.
Helpline 0808 808 7777 Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm Email advice@carersuk.org
Information service for users of mental health services, carers and other groups. Information on types of mental distress, treatments, therapies and legal information.
Suicide prevention for young people up to the age of 35
0800 068 41 41 Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm & 7pm – 10pm, Weekends 2pm – 5pm or text: 07786 209697
Email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Rethink, the leading national mental health membership charity, works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life.
Helpline 0300 5000 927 Monday – Friday 10am – 2pm
The Samaritans provide 24 hour, confidential, emotional support for anyone in crisis.
Helpline 08457 90 90 90 Email jo@samaritans.org
SANE services provide practical help, emotional support and specialist information to individuals affected by mental health problems, their family, friends and carers.
Helpline 0845 767 8000 Email support
Charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
Parents Helpline 0808 802 5544 Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4pm
