Key Facts:
What is depression? Signs and symptoms
The feeling of depression is different from just feeling low or being unhappy from time to time.
Causes and risk factors
It is caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. Lifestyle choices, relationships, and coping skills matter even more than genetics.
Common signs and symptoms of depression
Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
Total despair, life will never get better and there is nothing that one can do.
Loss of the ability to feel joy and pleasure.
Nothing and nobody seem to matter anutmore. Inability to be intimate and sociable that can lead to isolation and overwhelming feelings of guilt and low self-esteem.
Anger and irritability.
Feeling agitated and angry can often result in violent incidents. Your patience and tolerance are at a low level and you experience anger outbursts and tantrums.
Self-loathing.
Strong feelings of guilt and not been worthy. Extreme self-criticism and strong feelings of anger towards the self.
Sleep changes.
Insomnia, irregular sleeping patterns, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping.
Appetite and weight change.
Significant weight loss /gain.
Tiredness and physical pain.
Feeling exhausted, sluggish and physically drained. Your whole body feels heavier and physical pains such as headaches /migraines, stomach pains, back pains.
Reckless behaviour.
Engaging in unhealthy behaviours as a form of escapism, such as: substance abuse, gambling, unprotected sex, dangerous driving, self-harming.
Concentration / memory problems.
Finding it difficult to focus, extremely indecisive, not remembering things.
Risk factors for Depression
