What is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder characterised mainly by prolonged feelings of sadness. It is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain which restricts brain cells ability to communicate with each other, so the part of your brain which releases serotonin (the chemical in your brain that allows you to feel happiness) may not produce enough, or the serotonin may not properly get delivered to the appropriate part of the brain.

Forms of Depression

Major Depressive Disorder is one of the most common forms of depression, characterised in main by prolonged feelings of intense sadness occurring almost daily for at least two weeks.

Bi-Polar Disorder (also known as Manic Depression) is a form of depression characterised by moods cycling through extreme highs (also known as manic periods) followed by periods of depression.

Post Natal Depression/ Post Partum Depression (PND/PPD) is a form of depression that occurs following childbirth.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (also know as S.A.D or the Winter Blues) is a form of depression that occurs usually in winter when the shorter daylight hours cause a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Symptoms of Depression may include:

* prolonged/frequent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
* reduced interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
* feeling irritable or restless
* feeling tired, lethargic or unmotivated
* feeling empty or lonely
* increased or decreased appetite
* weight gain or loss
* trouble sleeping - too much or too little
* low self esteem
* trouble concentrating
* reduced sex drive
* frequent thoughts of death or escape

Why me?

Anyone, regardless of sex, age, race or socio-economic background may suffer from depression. It can be hereditary, or it can be triggered by stressful or traumatic events. Approximately 1 in 3 people worldwide will suffer from some form of depression at some point in their life. If you are experiencing any form of depression, know that it does not mean you are weak or flawed, it can happen to anyone.

If you would like to know more about what causes depression, any of it's varying forms or symptoms, there is a vast amount of detailed information available through our links page.

Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact
The grand essentials of happiness are:
something to do,
something to love,
and something to hope for
The easiest way to enjoy life is to enjoy what you do every day - not dream of escaping it
Live joyfully and peacefully, knowing that the right thoughts and the right efforts inevitably bring about the right results
The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live
Do what you can,
with what you have,
where you are
Forget regret, or life is yours to miss
Never look down on anybody unless you are helping them up
When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you
Where there is love, there is life
Hope achieves the impossible
When I find myself fading, I close my eyes and realise my friends are my energy
They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel
The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer up somebody else
Laughter is the shortest distance between two people
If you don't learn to laugh at troubles, you won't have anything to laugh at when you grow old
Nobody ever died of laughter
Use what talent you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best
Don't let life discourage you;
everyone who got where they are
had to begin where they were
Without a struggle, there ccan be no progress
Learn to embrace challenges because they are a gift in life and not a difficulty to be avoided
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe
Don't be afraid to take a big step.
You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps
When you learn to believe in yourself, your world will open up to you and you will find your path
Only those that dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly
Our greatest glory is not in never falling,
but in rising every time we fall
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go
It's always too early to quit
Someone who aims at nothing is sure to hit it
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going
Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there
There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still
People take different roads seeking fulfilment and happiness.
Just because you're not on their road doesn't mean you've gotten lost
It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it's the journey that matters in the end
Dance like no one's watching
Sing like no one's listening
Love like you've never been hurt
And live like it's heaven on earth
Aim for the stars; even if you only reach the moon, that's still a pretty good achievment
Be nice to yourself, in this world there are enough people that will tear you down, you don't need to do it too

Hope A-Z Support for depression, anxiety, bi-polar and mental illness