Depression

What is depression?

Depression is a low mood that lasts for a long time and affects your everyday life.

In its mildest form, depression can mean just being in low spirits. It doesn’t stop you from leading your normal life but makes everything harder to do and seem less worthwhile. At its most severe, depression can be life-threatening because it can make you feel suicidal.

We all have times when our mood is low, and we’re feeling sad or miserable about life. Usually, these feelings pass in due course.

But if the feelings are interfering with your life and don’t go away after a couple of weeks, or if they come back over and over again for a few days at a time, it could be a sign that you’re experiencing depression.

Here are some common signs of depression you may experience.

How you might feel

• down, upset or tearful
• restless, agitated, or irritable
• guilty, worthless, and down on yourself
• empty and numb
• isolated and unable to relate to other people
• finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
• a sense of unreality