Symptoms of depression include:
- not being able to find pleasure in the things you usually enjoy
- feeling sad, guilty, helpless and worthless
- low energy, feeling irritable and unable to concentrate
- thinking about ending your life
- changes to your appetite or weight
- difficulty sleeping
- losing your sex drive
Many symptoms of depression are similar to symptoms of serious illness.
Depression is different from appropriate sadness (feeling bleak about the future but still being able to enjoy the present moment).
Antidepressant medication may improve mood and can often help sleep and appetite and should be considered as an option.
This page on 'behavioural activation' signposts a useful approach to actively manage low mood.
Talking with a counsellor or nurse about your fears for the future, regrets about the past and concerns about family relationships is really important. Please see the related services on the right side of this page, they are all happy to be directly contacted.