Depression has many faces
Different people experience depression in different ways.
Life experiences affect people differently so what triggers depression in one person won’t necessarily make somebody else depressed.
Depression can last from a few weeks to months or even years if left untreated.
How does depression start?
People might begin feeling depressed for many reasons. For example:
- After a specific event like a relationship breakup
- It’s genetic and runs in the family
- It’s linked with another health condition
You may not know why you’re depressed and that’s okay
What does depression look like?
Depression is a combination of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. If you’re depressed you might:
- Feel on-edge, worried, or anxious
- Have trouble sleeping
- Not have any energy
- Not feel like eating
- Not feel like showering or getting dressed
- Get annoyed or upset by little things
- Stop enjoying things you used to find fun
- Feel that your life is pointless
- Feel empty or numb
- Feel cut-off from others and alone
- Feel negative about yourself
- Feel angry
- Have thoughts about wanting to die or hurt yourself
Different types of depression
Depression can take many forms and can last for only a short time, a very long time, or anywhere in between.
- Major depression – sometimes called major depressive disorder, clinical depression, unipolar depression, or simply ‘depression’
- Melancholia – a severe form of depression reflected in slowed physical movement and loss of pleasure in almost everything
- Psychotic depression – when people lose touch with reality and may involve hallucinations or delusions
- Antenatal and postnatal depression – women are at risk of developing depression during pregnancy or after the birth of their baby
- Bipolar disorder – sometimes called manic depression, the person experiences extreme highs and lows
- Cyclothymic disorder – when people alternate between long periods of feeling manic and long periods of feeling depressed
- Dysthymic disorder – similar to major depression except it’s less severe but symptoms can last longer
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – is where changes in seasons cause depression and may be related to changes in light exposure
