Filthy weather, long nights, Christmas debt and failed new year resolutions conspire to rid us of the festive mood in mid-January, making this the most likely period for depression.

Clinical depression affects one in 20 people and differs from mild depression through its severity and symptoms. These include lack of sex drive, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, aches and pains, unplanned weight loss, irritability, low self-esteem, feelings of emptiness, pessimism and helplessness, and increased use of alcohol or drugs. If five or more of the above persist for at least two weeks, see your GP, who can also test for possible physical causes.

Depression is often triggered by “loss” events such as redundancy or bereavement or a sense of going nowhere and getting old. “What makes someone depressed is not the situation itself, but the unwarranted negative meaning they extract from it,” says David Westbrook, consultant clinical psychologist and director of the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre. Genetic make-up and upbringing can make people vulnerable, while stress, poor diet and lack of exercise can lower levels of a brain neurotransmitter called serotonin, which can lead to depression.

One of the most effective therapies is cognitive behavioural therapy, where a patient is encouraged to identify more accurate interpretations of events. This is claimed to be successful in 70% of cases. Antidepressant drugs have equal but shorter-term success. Good diet and regular exercise are crucial. Psychological “resilience” can be built up by fostering positive ways of thinking and behaviour, says the psychologist Paul Gilbert, head of the mental health research unit at Derby University. “Recognise that life is tough — it is how we deal with it that is important. Mild depression can be a sign you need to holiday or to reorganise your life.”

TAKING IT FURTHER

www.depression-screening.org
This online test claims to help identify if you have the symptoms of depression

www.depressionanon.co.uk
The Fellowship of Depressives
Anonymous site lists self-help groups and has a large pool of links

www.sane.org.uk
This site, from the mental health charity Sane, lists organisations offering support and information

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