What is depression?
We often use
the expression ‘I feel depressed’ when 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 depressed in the medical sense of the term.
In its
mildest form, depression can mean just being in low spirits. It doesn’t stop
you leading your normal life, but makes everything harder to do and seem less
worthwhile. At its most severe, major depression (clinical depression) can be
life-threatening, because it can make you feel suicidal or simply give up the
will to live.
There are also some specific forms of
depression:
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) –
this is seasonal depression which is related to day length. It usually comes on
in the autumn and winter, when days are short and the sun is low in the sky,
and gets better as the days get longer and brighter. (See Understanding
seasonal affective disorder.)
Postnatal
depression – many mothers have ‘the baby blues’ soon after the birth of their
baby, but it usually passes after a day or two. Postnatal depression is a much
more serious problem and can occur any time between two weeks and two years
after the birth. (See Understanding postnatal depression.)
Bipolar disorder (manic depression) – some
people have major mood swings, when periods of depression alternate with
periods of mania. When manic, they are in a state of high excitement, and may
plan and may try to carry out over-ambitious schemes and ideas. They often then
have periods of severe depression. (See Understanding bipolar disorder.)
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