The word depression is a widely used term, but what is depression?

We can all have bad days – feel low or sad but we usually get over these feelings fairly quickly or ‘snap out of it’. However, clinical depression is a common and serious illness. According to diagnostic and management guidelines, a person who is depressed will have two of the following symptoms for at least two weeks:

• An unusual sad mood that does not go away,
• A loss of enjoyment and interest in things that you would normally find enjoyable, and
• A lack of energy and tiredness.

Depression affects a person’s emotion, thinking, behaviour, and their physical wellbeing. The way this would impact on each of us will be different. Physically, a person may appear sad, depressed, and anxious, but they may be slow in moving, thinking, and speaking. They may look unkempt. They may also become agitated and often be anxious, irritable, and easily moved to tears. However, in mild depression, they may be able to hide this from others.

Our training courses can help you understand more about what depression is, the signs and symptoms of depression and how to help someone get the help they need.