In mild forms, feeling depressed, low in mood, sad or fed up can be considered an almost ‘universal experience’ for most of us. We normally feel sad or fed up when life is stressful or difficult for us, for example, we have to retire from a job we’ve always loved. If feeling low in mood deteriorates and stays with us for longer than two weeks then it may have developed into clinical depression. Symptoms of clinical depression are extreme, intense and can significantly interfere with a person’s ability to live, work, and enjoy their life as they wish to. Symptoms include:

• A Persistent feeling of low mood or unhappiness

• A sense worthlessness and inadequacy with a loss of confidence

• Feelings of guilt, anxiety and irritability

• Feeling tired, a loss of energy, general aches and pains and little motivation to do things

• Loss of interest and pleasure in day to day activities

• Changes in appetite – either eating less or more

• Sleep disturbance – difficulties getting off to sleep or early morning waking or excessive sleeping

• Loss of interest in sex or a reduction in sex drive

• Difficulties in concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

• A sense of hopelessness and helplessness about the future

• Difficulties being around people leading to withdrawal and isolating self

• Thoughts of death and suicide

• Thoughts become extreme, negative / self-critical and unhelpful