Most people will have times in their life when they feel down.
Sometimes life circumstances cause this and at other times it can be hard to identify. This is normal and no cause for concern. However if you feel sad, fed up or miserable for longer than a few weeks then you may be starting to move into depression.
There are commonly experienced symptoms that can be used to recognise normal sadness from depression. If you suffer more than 4 -5 of these together then it may be worth consulting your doctor.
- Feeling restless as if you have to be on the move
- Lost interest in things you used to enjoy
- Feeling sad or unhappy
- Finding it harder to make decisions
- Finding it harder to get going in the mornings
- Your appetite has changed and you are eating much more or much less
- Having problems with sleeping
- Your self confidence is lower
- Thinking of yourself as inadequate or useless
- Feeling irritable or angry
- Feeling suicidal sometimes
- Mood fluctuation over the course of the day
- Not interesting in sex anymore
Depression is a mood disorder. This means that it is more than being ‘a bit down’ and it is not necessarily something you can ‘pull yourself’ out of easily. But it does respond well to treatment.
The government does not recommend anti depressants for mild depression and it can be harder to see improvements using anti depressants with milder to moderate forms of depression. However NICE do recommend anti depressants for the treatment of severe levels of depression. Therefore it is well worth consulting your GP and asking for an assessment for depression.
An even more effective treatment for depression is called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT therapy).
The Berkshire Psychology Service provides this treatment.
Telephone or email for a rapid assessment.
Tel: 0118 9519588
mobile: 0780 1289 787
email: drpurves@berkshirepsychologyservice.com
Our service will give you the facts about where you are right now and provide a roadmap to help to reach your treatment goals.
