Depression | Schizophrenia | Women's Health

• What is Depression?
• How Common is it?
• What are the Symptoms?
• How can depression be Treated?
• Where can I get Support?

Depression is one of the most commonly occurring mental illnesses in which abnormality of mood is the main feature.

Feeling low or unhappy at times is part and parcel of life. However, depression is when this low mood is very intense and prolonged leading to lack of enjoyment in life, pessimistic thinking and reduced energy.

Sometimes this is triggered by external factors, such as a bereavement, break up of a relationship or loss of employment. However, there is not always an external cause. Depressive illness can be viewed as a continuum stretching from mild to moderate to severe. At the mild end the depression will not cause major problems, perhaps some impairment of work, social life and difficulty in relationships with others. At the severe end, the disorder can completely disrupt a sufferers life.

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How common is it?
Depression is surprisingly common; estimates suggest that up to 5% of the population are affected at any time.

It is estimated to be almost twice as prevalent among women, and can occur at any age, but typically begins in the mid to late thirties. People of all walks of life and in all social groups can be affected.

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What are the symptoms?
Every individual case is unique, but some features are readily identifiable:

• Miserable mood - all pervading sadness
• Lack of interest and enjoyment - socially withdrawn
• Pessimistic thinking - worthlessness, hopelessness and guilt
• Lack of energy - lethargy
• Psychomotor retardation - walking slowly, speaking and thinking slowly
• Sleep disturbance - early morning waking, difficulty getting to sleep
• Loss of concentration and memory
• Anxiety, agitation, irritability

In very severe cases the sufferer can suffer delusions and hallucinations.

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How can depression be treated?
There are three main treatments, the first two of which are most common:

1. Psychotherapy - counselling, psychoanalysis, behavioural therapy etc. For mild depression this may prove to be the only treatment required.
2. Pharmacotherapy - the use of medication to treat depression.
3. Physical treatments - The type of treatment most suitable will vary among individuals. Only qualified medical professionals are in a position to determine the optimal therapy. If you wish to seek further advice on depression you should contact your doctor.

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Where can I get support?
Obviously your doctor is an appropriate contact person.

In addition there are other support and advocacy groups based in Dublin:

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