Depression
... What is it ?
Depression can be described as a mood disorder. In clinical terms, the word depression or Major depression differs from every day 'feeling down' in life, in three main ways;
1) The intensity of the feeling,
2) The continuous feeling after a two week period
3) The hindering of someone’s daily functioning.
Often people experience depression in different ways. For some, it gets in the way of their daily work routine causing them to be less productive and for other people, it can have an impact on relationships and result in chronic health conditions.
Depressed Symptoms
Major depression can cause a number of symptoms, affecting a person’s mood or physical body. Symptoms are sometimes on-going and can come and go; the symptoms of depression are often experienced very differently among men and women:
Symptoms experienced by men may relate to their:
Mood, i.e. feeling angry, aggressive, irritable, anxious and restless
Emotional well-being, i.e. feeling sad, hopeless or emptiness
Behaviour, i.e. loss of interest and pleasure in favourite activities, lethargic, suicidal thoughts, excessive drinking, drugs usage
engaging in high-risk activities
Sexual interest, i.e. lack of sexual desire or performance
Cognitive abilities i.e. not able to concentrate so well, inability to complete tasks, delayed responses
during conversations
Sleep patterns, i.e. restless sleep, excessive sleep, insomnia
Physical well-being, i.e. fatigue, pains, headaches, digestive problems.
Symptoms experienced by women may relate to their:
Mood, i.e. feeling irritability
Emotional well-being, - feeling sad, anxious, hopeless or emptiness
Behaviour, - loss of interest in activities, not wanting to socialise, suicidal thoughts
Cognitive abilities, i.e. slower in their thinking and talking
Sleep patterns, i.e. broken sleep, oversleeping
Physical well-being, i.e. lower energy levels, fatigue, changes in their appetite, weight changes, aches, pains, headaches, increased cramps.
Common causes of depression:
Family history. There is a higher risk of developing depression if there is a history of depression in the family
Early childhood trauma. Traumatic events can cause a person’s body to fear any stressful situations
Medical conditions. particular conditions may put you at higher risk, such as chronic illness, insomnia, chronic pain, or attention deficit
Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Drug use. A history of drug or alcohol misuse can affect your risk of depression.
Other causes:
Low self-esteem or being self-critical
Personal history of mental illness
Particular medications
Life events, such as loss of a loved one, economic problems, or a divorce.
Source: Valencia Higuera and Kimberly Holland — Updated on February 11, 2020,
Healthline. www.healthline.com/health/depression [Accessed 18/09/20]
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