Anxiety and depression

Depression is sometimes connected with thoughts of suicide. If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person it is essential to get help. Contact Crisis Messenger or The Samaritans.

Major depression is a mood disorder that affects the way people feel about life – Having a hopeless or helpless outlook on life is the most common symptom. Other feelings may be worthlessness, self-hate, or even guilt. Common thoughts include “It’s all my fault,” or “What’s the point?”

Depression

Depression can take the pleasure or enjoyment out of the things. A loss of interest or withdrawal from activities that someone once looked forward to — sports, hobbies, or going out with friends — are all signs of serious depression. Another area where they may lose interest is sex. Depression often comes with a lack of energy that can make even getting up a struggle and wanting to stay in bed all day. Depression is also linked with insomnia, and one can lead to the other or make each other worse. The lack of quality, restful sleep can also lead to anxiety. Read more about sleep.

If you, or someone you know, has had some of the symptoms for more than two weeks, then you/they may be clinically depressed, and it is essential to get the right help. Depression affects millions of people and there are different treatments available, from lifestyle changes to medications. No matter the path of treatment chosen, asking for professional help is the first step to getting back to feeling like yourself again.

Anxiety

Depression and  anxiety are often linked. Symptoms of anxiety can include:

• nervousness, restlessness, or feeling tense
• feelings of danger, panic, or dread
• rapid heart rate
• rapid breathing
• increased or heavy sweating
• trembling or muscle twitching
• trouble focusing or thinking clearly about anything other than the thing you’re worried about
• Men with depression may have symptoms such as irritability, escapist or risky behaviour, substance abuse, or misplaced anger.
• Men are also less likely than women to recognize depression or seek treatment for it.
• Weight and appetite can be affected. Some people will have an increased appetite and gain weight, while others won’t be hungry and will lose weight.
• Mood swings are common too, from anger to crying uncontrollably. Emotions can go up and down in a moment.

See help and support.

Read next Self harm