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Depression: Causes, Symptoms, and how we can help

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What Is Depression?

Feeling down from time to time is part of life, but depression is more than just a bad day. It’s a lasting and serious condition that can affect every part of your life—your thoughts, feelings, and even how you get through the day.

Depression isn’t always easy to spot, as it can show up in emotional, physical, or behavioural ways—or a mix of all three. It can also take different forms, like post-natal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

You’re not alone. In fact, 1 in 6 adults in Great Britain (16%) experienced moderate to severe depressive symptoms between 29 September and 23 October 2022, and 1 in 10 people will experience depression at some point in their lives.

The good news? With the right support, most people can and do recover.

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What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression looks different for everyone, but there are some common signs to look out for. These can be split into physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms:

Physical symptoms:

  • Always feeling tired or drained of energy
  • Trouble sleeping (either not enough or too much)
  • Changes in appetite or weight (eating too much or too little)
  • Aches and pains with no clear cause
  • Feeling like everything is happening in slow motion

Emotional symptoms:

  • Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the time
  • Losing interest in the things you used to enjoy
  • Struggling to concentrate or make decisions
  • Feeling guilty, worthless, or stuck in self-blame
  • Thoughts of self-harm or feeling like you don’t want to go on

Behavioural symptoms:

  • Avoiding friends, family, or things you’d usually do
  • Finding it hard to get through the day or do simple tasks
  • Feeling unmotivated or struggling to get out of bed

If you’re having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out for help immediately.

You can contact:

What Causes Depression?

There’s no single cause of depression—it’s often a mix of things. Here are some of the most common triggers:

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Difficult past experiences:

  • Loss of a loved one
  • Emotional or physical abuse
  • Feeling isolated through bullying or neglect
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Life stresses:

  • Money worries or debt
  • Relationship challenges
  • Feeling overwhelmed at work or university
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Health and medical factors:

  • Family history of depression
  • Hormonal changes (like pregnancy or menopause)
  • Living with a long-term or serious health condition

How Is Depression Treated?

The journey to recovery is different for everyone, and it might take some time to find what works best for you. A mix of approaches often works well.

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Therapies:

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Medication:

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Lifestyle changes:

  • Simple steps like regular exercise, eating well, and improving your sleep can make a big difference.
  • Relaxation techniques like mindfulness and meditation can also help you manage stress.

How We Can Help

If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, taking the first step and speaking to a doctor can make all the difference.

At Doctor Care Anywhere, we provide confidential video and phone consultations with experienced GPs who will listen to your concerns, explore your symptoms, and provide personalised advice.

Though we cannot supply therapy or prescribe medication for depression, we can:

  • Help you understand your symptoms and potential causes
  • Make recommendations about the type of help to seek and where to find it
  • Suggest therapy options, such as counselling or CBT
  • Offer advice on self-help strategies to support your recovery

Depending on your circumstances, we may recommend therapy, medication, self-help, or a combination of all three.

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