Depression can happen to anyone – and does happen to one in four of us over our lifetimes. Different factors that make it more likely to happen, include biological make-up, upbringing, or reaction to life events. Depression is often accompanied by other feelings such as guilt, shame, anger and anxiety.

Common causes of depression:

• Stressful events :- such as bereavement, relationship breakdown, divorce, illness, redundancy, job or money worries and adjustment issues
• Illness:-longstanding or life-threatening illness
• Personality:-personality traits such as low self-esteem or being overly self-critical, inherited or early life experiences.
• Family history:- If a family member has suffered from depression, then it’s more likely you will too.
• Giving birth :- Postnatal depression
• Loneliness:– Becoming cut off from your family and friends
• Alcohol and drugs

Symptoms vary from one person to another and may include any of the following;

Psychological symptoms include:

• continuous low mood or sadness
• feeling hopeless and helpless
• having low self-esteem
• feeling tearful
• feeling guilty
• feeling irritable and intolerant of others
• having no motivation or interest in things
• finding it difficult to make decisions
• not getting any enjoyment out of life
• having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself
• feeling anxious or worried

Physical symptoms:

• moving or speaking more slowly than usual
• change in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased)
• Constipation
• unexplained aches and pains
• lack of energy
• changes to your menstrual cycle
• disturbed sleep (for example, finding it hard to fall asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning)

Social symptoms:

• not doing well at work
• taking part in fewer social activities
• avoiding contact with friends
• neglecting your hobbies and interests
• having difficulties in your home and family life