Depression ; Recognising the signs.

It is estimated that 1 in every 4 people experience a significantly depressed mood at some point in their lifetime. It can affect any person at different stages in life.

Depression is commonly used to describe sadness, frustration and disappointment in everyday language. However, clinical depression differs from these periods off low mood because it it usually more intense, lasts longer than two weeks or more and significantly impacts on an individuals day to day functioning.

When someone experiences depression there they may experience changes in their ;

Mood- a low mood that is persistent is often accompanied by a dense of gloom. It is common that even when event that would be described as positive occur an individual remains in the low mood.

Thinking-when an individual experience depression they tend to think in a negative way, dwelling on bad feelings and viewing the world and themselves in a hopeless way.

Behaviour-It is common that anyone who experiences depression may notice changes in their sleeping patterns, appetite and energy levels. It is particularly common that an individual may lose interest in activities they would normally find pleasurable.