What is Depression?

What is Depression?

Depression is a common illness that affects how you feel, think and act. No matter what your gender, age or family history, depression can affect anyone.

Depression can be caused by a number of factors like trauma, loss, genetics or hormones. Your brain communicates using neurotransmitters to connect with different parts of your body, they tell you when you’re tired or hungry and control emotional responses like your mood and concentration levels. An illness like depression can cause a chemical imbalance with this communication system and you could see changes in both your emotions and behaviour.

Depression affects how we think, feel and act

Everyone who suffers from depression will experience it differently, depressive symptoms can vary, you may lack motivation or have no interest in the things you used to enjoy, people notice an increase or decrease in appetite, some even saying that food just tastes different. People affected by depression often experience a change in their sleep routine, whether it’s a problem, falling or staying asleep during the night, or not being able to wake up in the morning and wanting to sleep throughout the day. Someone with depression will have negative thought patterns and may experience feelings of sadness, low energy levels and problems with both memory and concentration.

There are different forms of depression disorders, with each type displaying different symptoms ranging from minor through to severe. Knowing the differences and understanding how to respond is helpful to get through to those that are suffering. The first step is opening up, starting the conversation and knowing that you are not alone.

Depression affects how we think, feel and act

At Serene Minds we are dedicated to providing quick and easy access to high quality treatment from the comfort of your own home, with our professional support, we can provide the attention and care that you deserve.  With our online service, you can speak with our qualified psychiatrist from the privacy of your home or office. Click here to find out more.