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In the Summer, when the days are longer, the symptoms are not present, or are much diminished.
Who is at risk?
- Women appear twice as likely to suffer from depression as men.
- Depression can appear at any age.
- Depression in children is known
- Depression is common among the elderly and the very elderly.
- Depression appears to be more common among people of lower socio-economic status.
- Depression is now common in every Western country. Depression now seems to be a universal human disease.
- People with a family history of depression are more likely than those without to suffer from depression.
- Bipolar affective disorder ('manic depression')
Also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive disorder. This condition is characterized by mood that alternates between periods of depression and periods of elation and excitable behavior known as mania people suffer not only episodes of depression but also episodes of elation (increased mood) and over-activity. Such periods of mania are more extreme than the lifted mood which we all experience when we have received good news, such as getting a job, passing an exam, or being with good friends. Episodes of mania often lead onto episodes of depression.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Also known as ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). People with ME suffer mainly from fatigue. They can feel very tired after mental or physical activity, such as studying or gardening. ME can severely limit what people can do in their daily life. There is no agreement over what causes CFS, and treatment is therefore often poorly directed and very limited. Some people with CFS develop a depressive illness. Therefore, it is important to make sure that people who are both fatigued and depressed are not suffering from a depressive illness. If they are, this needs treatment separately to the CFS.
How is depression diagnosed?
Depressive illness does not only affect moods, but also energy levels, eating habits, sleeping and the ability to work and relationships
There is no blood or urine test for depression. Therefore, depressive illness is diagnosed clinically on the basis of the presence of characteristic symptoms. However, depression can be missed, especially when low mood is not the main symptom or when the patient has other illnesses too. To ensure that depression is diagnosed, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD Scale) is used by doctors as a screening tests. It must be stressed that not all patients who score positively on a screening test will have a depressive illness therefore a doctor still needs to make a proper diagnosis.
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a psychological tr eatment delivered by a trained therapist either one-to-one or to a group of patients.
CBT focuses on changing individual’s thoughts and beliefs, consequently improving mood. CBT requires collaboration between the therapist and patient, as the patient is required to plays an active role.
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