Mental health awareness week is 18-24th May this year and the theme is Kindness. Over the next few weeks Futureworks will be raising awareness of Mental Health.
Today's post will be focusing on depression, understanding what depression is, what are the symptoms, how it can affect people differently. These posts are to raise awareness about mental health conditions and for you to gain an understanding of what you or others may be going through.
If you have any questions about these posts or would like to talk to somebody about your own mental health please contact: support@futureworks.ac.uk
We all feel low, sad or down at times and we often use the phrase 'I feel depressed' but what does that mean? Depression is a mood disorder and can happen as a reaction to something like abuse, bullying, relationship breakdown but can also run in families. When we feel sad or miserable about things, them feelings usually pass. but if the negative feelings and or emotions don't go away and they start to interfere with your life you may have depression and you should speak to your GP about this.
Symptoms of Depression
- Not wanting to do things you previously enjoyed e.g. hobbies
- Avoiding friends / family or any social situations
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Eating more or less than usual
- Feeling irritable, upset, miserable or lonely
- Being self-critical
- Feeling hopeless
- Feelings that you want to self-harm or end your life
- Feeling tired or no energy
What is it like to like with Depression?
Living with Depression - Amy
Depression - Stormzy
TV Presenter Matt Johnson - The Long Road Home
Stories of Depression
Talking about hard times
Depression is not an emotion, it's an illness
My family didn't believe I was struggling with my mental health
Depression is not simple, it's more than being sad
Overcoming severe depression
Types of Depression
- Clinical Depression - Clinical depression is a common term, but it is not a formal diagnosis. People sometimes say ‘clinical diagnosis’ to just mean they have been diagnosed by a doctor.
- Depressive Episode - Your doctor might say that you are going through a 'depressive episode'. This is the formal name that doctors give depression when they make a diagnosis. They may say that you are going through a 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe' episode.
- Recurrent Depressive Disorder - If you have had repeated episodes of depression, your doctor might say that you have recurrent depressive disorder. They may say that your current episode is 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe'.
- Reactive Depression - If your doctor thinks that your episode of depression was caused by particular stressful events in your life, they may say that it is reactive. For example, divorce, job or money worries. This is sometimes separated from an adjustment disorder, where you may struggle with some symptoms of depression because of adapting to a major change in your life. Such as separation from people, retirement or migrating to a new area.
- Dysthmyia - Your doctor might diagnose you with dysthymia if you have felt low for several years, but the symptoms are not severe enough, or the episodes are not long enough for a doctor to diagnose recurrent depressive disorder.
- Psychotic Depression - If you are going through a severe episode of depression, you may get hallucinations or delusions. A hallucination means you might hear, see, smell, taste or feel things that aren’t real. A delusion means that you might believe things that don’t match reality. These symptoms are called psychosis.
- Post-natal Depression - Postnatal depression is a common illness which affects between 10 to 15 in every 100 women who have had a baby. You may get symptoms that are similar to those in other types of depression.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - This type of depression affects you at the same time of year, usually in the winter. The symptoms are similar to depression, but some people find they sleep more rather than less, and crave carbohydrates like chocolate, cakes and bread.
- Manic Depression - Manic depression is the old name for bipolar disorder. It is a different illness to depression. People with this illness have highs (mania) and lows (depression).
Depression can be treated with therapy, or a combination of both therapy and medication. Exercise can also help relieve symptoms. The most likely therapy you will be offered is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to help you manage your thoughts and feelings, although other types of talking therapy are available.
1. Self Help / Self-Care 3. Therapy - Talking therapy can help you get to the root of what is causing your depression. With cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the therapist will work with you to understand your thoughts and feelings. You will also learn practical techniques to help you cope with every day situations.
2. Talk to your GP - There may be medication that your doctor suggests to try
- Set aside a specific time to focus on your worries, so you can re-assure yourself that you haven't stopped worrying about them but they are at a side time during the day or week.
- Write down your worries and put them in a specific place, for example a jar.
What is CAMHS?
CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. CAMHS are the NHS services that assesses and treat young people with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. CAMHS support covers depression, problems with food, self-harm, abuse, violence or anger, bipolar, schizophrenia and anxiety, to name a few. There are local NHS CAMHS services around the UK, with teams made up of nurses, therapists, psychologists, support workers and social workers, as well as other professionals. See here for a guide to CAHMS and how you can get help from them.
What is it like to be diagnosed with Depression?How do I cope with suicidal thoughts and feelings?
My CAHMS Journey
Are you worried about someone?
I didn't think depression would affect someone like me
This is what depression looks like
What causes Depression?
- Traumatic life events e.g. physical or sexual abuse, divorce, relationship breakdown, loss of job
- Loss or bereavement
- Anger
- Childhood experiences
- Physical / medical conditions e.g. sleep disorders, hormonal problems, conditions affecting brain / nervous system
- Diet
- Drugs or alcohol
- Genetics
- Chemical changes in the brain
- Young Minds Crisis Messenger provides free 24/7 crisis support. Text YM to 85258
- Samaritans - Call free on 116 123 (24 hours a day)
- Childline - If you are under 19 you can confidentially call, email or talk online about any problem you may be having
Helpline: 0800 1111 - The Mix - If you are under 25 you can contact them free via phone, online chat or email
Helpline: 0808 808 4994 (1pm-11pm daily) - 42nd Street - 0161 228 732. They provide online support and they also do referrals. On their website, it states “if you are struggling with your mental health and would like to speak with a mental health practitioner call us Monday – Friday 9.30-5 and ask to speak to a duty practitioner on 0161 228 7321.
- CALM - (Campaign Against Living Miserably) 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight 365 days a year) or online webchat
- Shout - Text SHOUT to 85258 (24 hour text service)
- SANE emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers.
0300 304 7000 (Helpline open 4.30pm-10.30pm). - Depression UK
In crisis? Call 999 if you are in serious distress or in danger of harming yourself or others. Alternatively:
- Go to A&E at your local hospital. The nearest to Futureworks is Manchester Royal Infirmary (0161 276 4147)
- Contact your GP / 111
- Call Samaritans 116 123 (free to call, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
- See below for other contact details that maybe beneficial for you, family or friends.
24/7 mental health helpline for Greater Manchester: 01204 4830
New 24/7 mental health for carers and service users who are currently engaged with the GMMH service - Greater Manchester: 01204 483 071
New 24/7 mental health crisis line for people of all ages in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens & Warrington: 01925 275 309
New 24/7 crisis line for people of all ages in Wigan: 01942 636 395
