We all feel a little down sometimes, but depression is much more than that. It’s a psychological condition that can have a severe impact on your day-to-day life.
According to the mental health charity Mind, 3.3 in 100 people in England suffer from depression each year, while a further 7.8 in 100 experience a mixture of depression and anxiety, so you’re not on your own.
Everyone experiences depression differently. Some people suffer from mild symptoms, while others experience severe depression that can lead to them feeling suicidal. Your triggers and symptoms are entirely unique to you and our supportive doctors will help you find the treatment method that you need.
Depression has a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms, but the main signs you may be depressed are if you’ve been feeling sad or low for more than a couple of weeks. Other common symptoms include a lack of interest in things you used to enjoy, feeling constantly tired or on the verge of tears, thoughts of harming yourself, aches and pains, poor sleep and sudden weight loss.
There are many factors that can trigger depression. Psychological factors such as stress or anxiety in your work, home or social life can all contribute. There can also be physical factors, such as an injury or long-term illness, and even biological factors, including your family history or a chemical imbalance in your brain. By asking questions, our doctors can pinpoint factors that could be triggering your depression and help you take steps to manage or avoid them.
Once our doctors have listened to your symptoms, they’re in a position to recommend the most effective treatment. This normally takes the form of either talking therapies (such as counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), medication, or a combination of the two. If you choose to go for therapy, during your first session, you’ll discuss the issues you’re facing and what triggers your symptoms. This will help your specialist create a detailed treatment plan to deal with your symptoms. This will progress each time you meet with your therapist.
Diagnosis
Our doctors need to understand how depression is affecting you before they can recommend effective treatment. Speak to a doctor today. You can have a private, confidential discussion from the comfort of your own home, workplace or on the go, at a time that suits you.
Causes
Depression can be caused by a wide range of psychological, physical and environmental factors. Everyone is different, so it’s hard to predict what will trigger it. Often, many of these factors can combine or ‘snowball’ to make your mood worse over time.
Treatment
Our doctors will listen to your symptoms and suggest the best way to treat your depression. The two most common treatments are either referring you for talking therapy or prescribing medication. The treatment you’re offered will depend on whether or not the doctor considers your depression to be mild or severe. In both cases, you’ll be given a clear treatment plan and the doctor will arrange a follow-up consultation to see how your treatment is working.
