Signs of Depression and How to Get Help

Feeling sad after a loss or a hard week is part of being human. Depression is different. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that in a depressive episode, symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, and they get in the way of ordinary life.

It is far more common than most people realise. WHO estimates that about 322 million people worldwide live with depression, around 5.2% of adults. It is about 1.5 times more common in women than in men, and WHO notes that more than 10% of pregnant women and women who have recently given birth experience depression. If this is you, you are not weak and you are not alone.

What are the signs of depression?

The NHS groups the symptoms in three ways.

How you feel and think

• Continuous low mood or sadness
• Feeling hopeless and helpless
• Low self-esteem, feeling guilt-ridden, or feeling tearful
• Feeling irritable and intolerant of others
• No motivation or interest in things you used to enjoy
• Finding it difficult to make decisions
• Feeling anxious or worried
• Thoughts of harming yourself

How your body feels

• Moving or speaking more slowly than usual
• Changes in appetite or weight, usually down but sometimes up
• Lack of energy, and low interest in sex
• Unexplained aches and pains, or constipation
• Disturbed sleep, such as trouble falling asleep or waking very early

How you live

• Avoiding friends and taking part in fewer social activities
• Neglecting hobbies and interests
• Difficulties at home, at work or in family life

Nobody has all of these, and having a few does not mean you have depression. Only a doctor can assess that. What matters is the pattern: many symptoms, most days, for two weeks or more.

What causes depression?

The NHS says there is sometimes a clear trigger, such as bereavement, losing a job or giving birth, and that people with a family history of depression are more likely to experience it. WHO adds that people who have lived through abuse, severe losses, unemployment or other stressful and traumatic events are at higher risk. Often there is no single cause at all, and that is normal too.

What treatments actually work?

WHO states plainly that there are effective treatments for depression, and that these include psychological treatment and medicines. The psychological approaches WHO names include behavioural activation, cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy and problem-solving therapy. These are structured talking treatments with real evidence behind them.

The NHS says treatment may combine lifestyle changes, talking therapies and medicine, depending on how severe the depression is, and that with the right treatment and support, most people with depression can make a full recovery. Any medicine is a decision for a qualified doctor, based on your own situation.

What can you do while you wait for an appointment?

WHO suggests staying connected with people you trust, talking to a health worker, and joining a support group if one is available. Keeping some routine, getting outdoors and moving your body a little each day are all reasonable steps, but they are support for treatment, not a replacement for it. Please do not delay seeing a doctor because you are trying to fix this alone.

When to see a doctor

The NHS advises seeing a doctor if you have symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks. Also go sooner if you cannot work or care for your family, if you are drinking or using substances to cope, or if you are pregnant or have recently had a baby and feel persistently low.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, this is an emergency and help is available right now. Tell someone you trust, do not stay alone, and get medical help immediately: call Rescue 1122 where available, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. These thoughts are a symptom that can be treated, and people do get better.