Feeling sad at times is a healthy mood state and a normal reaction to stressful or upsetting experiences.
However, if the sadness is severe and persistent for weeks, these feelings can interfere with normal life and become an illness.
Symptoms of depression include
- Feeling persistently miserable, tearful or irritable
- Self critical thoughts, such as “I am not good enough” and “I’ve let people down”
- Feeling hopeless for the future and thoughts of wanting to die
- Changes in sleep pattern, low energy, fatigue
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Social withdrawal and lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed
- Difficulty with concentration and worsening school performance
- Poor self care
- Frequent physical health problems such as stomach aches or headaches.
The causes of depression can include
- Psychological factors – stressful life events, low self esteem, reduced coping skills
- Social factors – difficulties accessing support from family and friends
- Biological factors – there is often a family history of depression in first degree relatives.
- There is very little evidence for any deficit or dysfunction of serotonin or noradrenaline in depression. The underlying biological cause of depressive symptoms is not yet understood, despite 60 years of research.
Around a third of young people get better on their own. Reaching out and sharing how you are feeling to someone you trust is often the first step to feeling better. Try to do some physical activity, as this is as effective as an antidepressant, and eat healthy food. However, if depressive symptoms are severe and persistent, professional support can be helpful.
The most effective form of treatment is talking therapy and includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). If depression is severe and persists with psychological therapy it is sometimes helpful to also add an antidepressant medication.
Here is further information and advice on depression and its treatment from the Young Minds website.