We all have times when we feel sad, but depression is something that affects your daily life, making it hard to find enjoyment in day-to-day activities. We take a look at what depression is, its causes, and how counselling/therapy can help. 

What is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that can take many forms: some days you may find it impossible to get out of bed, while other days you may feel more able to go about your normal daily tasks.
Living with depression can be incredibly difficult, both for those suffering and those around them. Due to the nature of the condition, however, seeking help can often be delayed.
What does depression feel like?
If you have depression, you are likely to have at least five of the following symptoms.

You may feel:
worthless
like life isn’t worth living
constantly anxious, tearful and worried
like you can’t concentrate
indecisive
irritable and intolerant of others
you are not getting enough enjoyment out of life
you have a lack of self-esteem
you have excessive and inappropriate guilt
you have no motivation or interest in things you used to enjoy

You may experience:
changes in sleeping patterns - broken nights or oversleeping
changes in eating patterns - loss of appetite or overeating
tiredness and a loss of energy
persistent headaches and/or stomach upsets
chronic pain
a slower speaking pattern than usual
loss of libido
changes to the menstrual cycle
You may also:
neglect hobbies and interests
isolate yourself from friends and family
take part in fewer social activities
notice your productivity falling at work
In some circumstances, you might not even notice that you have developed depression, especially if it has been a gradual process over several weeks or months. Sometimes it takes a friend, a family member or a partner to point out that you may have a problemWhy do we become depressed?
Sometimes it’s instantly apparent what the cause is, but other times there isn’t an obvious reason why you feel so down. It could be that you’ve lost something or someone, or it could stem from disappointment or frustration. Usually, there will be more than one reason why you suffer from depression, and these reasons differ from person to person.

Common reasons behind the development of depression include:
 

Distressing life events:
Distressing life events can take their toll on us. Divorce, family problems or losing a job are all momentous in our lives that can alter our mood.

Bereavement:
Losing someone close to you can increase the risk. It’s not always just the loss that causes depression, it’s the way we deal with it. If you don’t grieve or express your feelings properly, they can build up and contribute to depression.

Childhood experiences:
Your childhood experiences can affect you in adult life. If you were physically or emotionally abused, or not taught to cope with troubles that enter your life, it could lead you to have problems as you grow up.

Anger:
‘Frozen anger’ is a term that’s closely related to depression. You may have gone through something that caused you to become angry, but at the time you couldn’t express your feelings properly. This type of anger becomes suppressed; it can then build up and become a cause of depression.

Circumstances:
Feeling like you’re alone, stressed, physically exhausted and/or have no one to talk to can all contribute to the condition.
 

Alcohol:
Regular heavy drinking can make you more susceptible to developing depression.

Physical illness:
Some types of physical illness can make people more prone to depression.

Types of depression
There are several different forms of depression, including: 

Mild depression:

When depression symptoms have a limited impact on daily life. Generally, sufferers of mild depression will experience a persistent low mood and spirit. They may find it difficult to motivate themselves to do things they normally enjoy.

Major (clinical) depression:

A more severe form that can lead to hospital admission. Symptoms will be more prominent and interfere with daily life. They can affect eating habits, sleeping, and other day-to-day activities. Some sufferers may feel suicidal and that life is no longer worth living.

Bipolar disorder:

A form of manic depression characterised by extreme highs and lows. For example, a period of hyperactivity where sufferers are excited and planning overambitious tasks is followed by a period of severe depression.

Postnatal depression:

A condition that can develop in anyone who gives birth or their partner following childbirth.