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of depression, with talking therapies and
antidepressant medicines.
Bipolar Disorder (also known as manic
depression) - there are spells of both
depression and excessively high mood (mania);
the depression symptoms are similar to clinical
depression, but the bouts of mania can include
harmful behaviour, such as gambling, going on
spending sprees and having unsafe sex.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – also
known as “winter depression”, SAD is a type
of depression with a seasonal pattern usually
related to winter.
GP if you think you may be depressed. Don’t wait
before seeking help for depression, the sooner
you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the
way to recovery.
Depression can often come on gradually, so it
can be difficult to notice something is wrong.
Many people try to cope with their symptoms
without realising they’re unwell. It can
sometimes take a friend or family member to
suggest something is wrong.
What causes depression?
Depression is fairly common, affecting about 1 in
10 people at some point during their life. It affects
men and women, young and old. Studies have
shown that about 4% of children aged five to 16 in
the UK are anxious or depressed.
Sometimes there’s a trigger for depression. Lifechanging
events, such as bereavement, losing your
job or even having a baby, can bring it on. People
with a family history of depression are more likely
to experience it themselves. But you can also
become depressed for no obvious reason.
Grief - it can be difficult to distinguish between
grief and depression. They share many of the
same characteristics, but there are important
differences between them. Grief is an entirely
natural response to a loss, while depression is an
illness. People who are grieving find their feelings
of sadness and loss come and go, but they’re
still able to enjoy things and look forward to the
future. In contrast, people who are depressed
constantly feel sad. They don’t enjoy anything
and find it difficult to be positive about the future.
Postnatal Depression – some women
develop depression after they have a baby
and it’s treated in a similar way to other types
Treating depression
Treatment for depression can involve a
combination of lifestyle changes, talking
therapies and medication. Your recommended
treatment will be based on whether you have
mild, moderate or severe depression.
If you have mild depression, your doctor may
suggest waiting to see whether it improves on
its own, while monitoring your progress. This
is known as “watchful waiting”. They may also
suggest lifestyle measures such as exercise
and self-help groups. Talking therapies, such as
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), are often
used for mild depression that isn’t improving or
moderate depression. Antidepressants are also
sometimes prescribed.
For moderate to severe depression, a combination
of talking therapy and antidepressants is often
recommended. If you have severe depression, you
may be referred to a specialist mental health team
for intensive specialist talking treatments and
prescribed medication.
Living with depression
Many people with depression benefit by making
lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise,
cutting down on alcohol, giving up smoking and
eating healthily. Reading a self-help book or
joining a support group are also worthwhile. They
can help you gain a better understanding about
what causes you to feel depressed. Sharing your
experiences with others in a similar situation can
also be very supportive.
Further Help and Information
Other contacts for help with Depression can be
found on our Mental Health Glossary on pages
22 - 25.
www.mhap.co.uk 17