Depression: Help page
How to recognise the symptoms of depression, advice on how to help a friend who suffers from depression, and some places to go for help.
Symptoms of Depression
The first question you have to ask yourself is: ‘Am I just feeling a bit down, or is this something more?'. If you have been feeling withdrawn and sad for more than a few weeks, you may be depressed.
Other symptoms include:
- Crying, or feeling like crying, often for no obvious reason
- Anxiety or ‘panic attacks’
- Unusual irritability and frustration with people
- Wanting to spend time on your own, or to ‘run away’ and disappear
- Changing eating habits
- Inability to concentrate
- Not wanting to bother with anything or anyone
- Waking in the early hours and unable to get back to sleep
- Excessive tiredness and fatigue during the day
- Thinking about harming yourself, or committing suicide
How can I help?
Here are some suggestions if depression is affecting your partner, a relative or close friend:
- Give them your time, and listen closely to what they are saying
- Encourage them to visit their GP, and offer to go with them
- Be patient and accept them as they are
- Don’t tell them to “pull yourself together”. It’s not as simple as that
- Offer practical help with by cooking meals or looking after children
- Take time for yourself; it’s not easy to care for someone with depression
Where to go for help
Samaritans - 24-hour helpline: 08457 90 90 90
Depression Alliance Tel: 0207 633 0557 Helpline 0845 123 2320 www.depressionalliance.org
Fellowship of Depressives Anonymous Tel: 01702 433 838 www.depressionanon.co.uk
Mind Helpline 0845 7660 163 www.mind.org.uk
Saneline Helpline Tel: 0845 767 8000
SAD Association www.sada.org.uk (for those who feel more depressed during winter)
Reading
Depression: My story by Jon Matthias
Climbing out of Depression by Sue Atkinson – a book that’s easy to dip into if you’re depressed. You can order a copy from Care for the Family.
Written by Jon Matthias.
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