Identifying some types and symptoms of depression

‘Depression’ covers a wide range of issues and disorders. ‘I’m depressed’ might mean that a relationship isn’t going terribly well, it could mean that you feel worthless, or it could describe a series of unpredictable emotional highs and lows.

What is now clear though is that many, many people have some form of depression, people from every background and every walk of life – perhaps as many as 10% of everyone in the UK.

Some of the illnesses which we describe as depression include:

• Mild and moderate depression
• Severe depression
• Post-natal depression
• Treatment-resistant depression
• Bi-polar affective disorder (manic depression)
• Cyclothymia (a mild form of bipolar disorder)
• Psychotic depression
• Seasonal affective disorder

All of these disorders probably involve physiological, emotional and psychological elements – in other words, there is something physical (a chemical imbalance) in the brain, something to do with patterns of thought in the mind, and something to do with feelings.

How do I know if I have one of the depressive disorders?

If you have any of the following typical symptoms of clinical depression – even just one – you may benefit from professional assistance:

• Significant unexplained weight changes
• Appetite alterations
• Sleep disturbance
• Agitation or lethargy
• Lack of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Guilt
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate
• Indecisiveness
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideas

Another simple way of identifying that you may have depression is something called Anhedonia.   This is when you no longer gain pleasure from even the simplest things in life that you once enjoyed.  For instance, if you normally like seeing friends once a week, but now you just couldn’t be bothered, this is a strong sign you could be suffering from clinical depression.

This symptom is referred to as anhedonia and is a very useful one to bear in mind as it’s entirely possible to suffer from depression and not personally realise it. So if you can’t remember the last time you laughed out loud, this may be the reason.

Why Treatment Is so Important

In the past, many people simply ‘put up’ with their depression. Yet studies have shown that people with untreated depression actually tend to have far shorter life expectancies than those who are successfully treated. You wouldn’t suffer from TB without treatment – why delay treatment for depression?

For many people, admitting depression is a sign of personal weakness. In fact, it’s anything but. If there are six million people with this condition in the UK, we need to treat it just like any another illness.

The treatments are there and the evidence says that they work, they are often paid for by insurance, and life is simply too short to waste feeling awful. Pick up the phone now and call one of our team, and let us help you get back on your feet.

Types of Treatment Available for Depression

There are a variety of treatments available including antidepressants which can correct imbalances of neurotransmitters, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which can correct destructive thought patterns, and psychotherapy, care and support will address emotional issues.  For more severe or treatment-resistant depression ECT is used and more recently Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

How Can Clinical Partners Help with Your Depression?

At Clinical Partners we offer confidential assessment, diagnosis and treatment for the whole depression spectrum as well as with other associated issues including:

• Alcohol abuse
• Drug and substance abuse
• Stress
• Anxiety

Simply call our clinical team in confidence on 0203 326 9160 and we will recommend the most suitable Clinician for your needs. You can also fill in the form above if you would rather have us email you.