The Limes Medical Centre

Clinical Depression

Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days.
We all go through spells of feeling down, but when you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days. Some people still think that depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They’re wrong. Depression is a real illness with real symptoms, and it’s not a sign of weakness or something you can “snap out of” by “pulling yourself together”.
The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people can make a full recovery.

Mental Health wellbeing
If you are experiencing excessive worry, low mood, depression, anxiety or a lack of motivation then VitaMinds can help. VitaMinds works in partnership with the NHS to provide talking therapy services, known as IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) and we can provide advice and guidance on the best options for you.

Click here for further information

VitaMinds is a FREE and confidential service and you don’t need to visit a GP to get help – the fastest way to get support is by simply clicking the Self Refer button or call us on 0333 0153 494

How to tell if you have depression
Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms.

They range from lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.

There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and symptoms of aches and pains.

The severity of these can vary. At its mildest, you may simply feel persistently low in spirit, while at its most severe depression can make you feel suicidal and that life is no longer worth living.

For a more detailed list, visit NHS UK read more about the symptoms of depression.

Most people experience feelings of stress, sadness or anxiety during difficult times.

A low mood may improve after a short time, rather than being a sign of depression.

When to see a doctor
It’s important to seek help from your GP if you think you may be depressed.
If you’ve been feeling low for more than a few days, take this short test to find out if you’re depressed.

Many people wait a long time before seeking help for depression, but it’s best not to delay.

The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery.

Sometimes there is a trigger for depression. Life-changing events, such as bereavement, losing your job or even having a baby, can bring it on. People with a family history of depression are also more likely to experience it themselves. But you can also become depressed for no obvious reason.
Depression is quite common and affects about one in 10 of us at some point.
It affects men and women, young and old. Depression can also strike children.
Studies have shown that about 4% of children aged five to 16 in the UK are affected by depression.

Treatment
Treatment for depression involves either medication or talking treatments,
or usually a combination of the two. The kind of treatment that your doctor
recommends will be based on the type of depression you have.

Living with depression
Many people with depression benefit by making lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, cutting down on alcohol and eating more healthily. Self-help measures such as reading a self-help book or joining a support group are also worthwhile.