Everyone experiences variation in mood: sometimes you just feel a bit low, or experience normal grief that accompanies the loss of someone you love. But a severe, long lasting low mood or depression that interferes with the ability to function, feel pleasure, or take in interest in things is not a mere case of the blues - it is an illness. This is what is known as a depressive disorder.

A depressive disorder is an illness that affects a person’s physical state, mood and thought processes. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed away. People with a depressive illness cannot just "pull themselves together". With treatment, people do get better, but without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years.

Key symptoms can include:

»Persistent sadness or low mood

»Loss of interests or pleasure

»Fatigue or low energy

Associated symptoms

»Disturbed sleep

»Poor concentration or indecisiveness

»Low self confidence

»Decrease (or increase) in appetite / weight

»Agitation or slowing of movements

»Feelings of guilt or self blame

»Suicidal thoughts or acts

Source: www.cks.library.nhs.uk

The word 'depression' is used in so many ways that it is important to understand there are different types: mild, moderate and severe. In the UK, 5-10% of people consulting their GP meet the criteria for clinical depression. Depression is probably caused by a combination of genetic and environmental causes.

Whatever the cause, the good news is that help is available and people can and do get better. Famous people who have talked about their experiences of post-natal depression include Gail Porter, Fern Britton, Brook Shields and Denise Walsh.

Recent studies indicate that between 30 and 50% of people recover within six months with some form of treatment. The form of treatment will depend on how serious the illness is. It can include:

»talking therapies,

»cognitive behaviour therapy, which helps the person think about themselves and others in a different / more positive way,

»medicines,

»self help, such as relaxation techniques and

»natural remedies such as St John’s Wort.

A healthy diet and regular exercise can also help. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends physical activity as an effective treatment for mild depression. GPs are even able to offer “exercise on prescription”, which is a supervised programme of exercise for people with mental health problems.

Bi-polar disorder, or manic depression is thought to impact the lives of about one in 100 adults at some point in their lives. As well as the lows of depression, the illness includes extreme moods of elation, or ‘highs’. Famous people with experience of bipolar include Sinead O’Connor, Stephen Fry, Adam Ant and Ben Stiller.

Depression can also affect friends and family of the person with depression, and they may struggle to know how best to help. Rethink can help by providing practical advice, information and support on a wide range of mental health issues, including self-help groups. For more information visit our website or call 0845 546 0455.

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