What should you look out for in yourself or in the behaviour of loved ones that may indicate depression is present?

Depression takes on various forms but there are a cluster of symptoms that tend to manifest most regularly. The symptoms can persist for weeks or months and are severe enough to interfere with your work, social and family life. It is this dysfunctionality that points to seeking some help from a qualified professional.

The psychological symptoms of depression include:

• continuous low mood or sadness
  
• feeling hopeless and helpless
  
• having low self-esteem
  
• feeling tearful
  
• feeling guilt-ridden
  
• feeling irritable and intolerant of others
  
• having no motivation or interest in things
  
• finding it difficult to make decisions
  
• not getting any enjoyment out of life
  
• feeling anxious or worried
  
• having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself
  

Physical symptoms can include:

• moving or speaking more slowly than usual
  
• changes in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased)
  
• constipation
  
• unexplained aches and pains
  
• lack of energy
  
• low sex drive (loss of libido)
  
• changes to your menstrual cycle
  
• disturbed sleep - for example, finding it difficult to fall asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning
  

You may often notice that you or your family or friend begins to socially avoid and can become quite isolated.
The severity of the depression may vary but you may find it creeps up gradually and can be therefore difficult to detect its onset.
If you have many of the above every days for at least 2 weeks you should seek some help by seeing your GP in the first instance.
If psychological causes are confirmed or suspected, book in for an initial appointment at the London Psychologist Clinic where we
will be more than happy to begin the process
of helping you get back on the road to recovery.