If you’re a carer, friend or relative of someone with depression, this information is for you.

What is depression?

Everyone has ups and downs. Sometimes you might feel a bit low, for lots of different reasons. People may say that they are feeling depressed when they are feeling down, but this does not always mean that they have depression.

Depression is a long-lasting low mood disorder. It affects your ability to do everyday things, feel pleasure or take interest in activities.

Depression is: 

• a mental illness that is recognized around the world,
• common - it affects about one in ten of us,
• something that anyone can get, and
• treatable.

Depression is not:

• something you can 'snap out of’,
• a sign of weakness,
• something that everyone experiences, or
• something that lasts forever as one episode.

Doctors might describe depression as 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe'. Your doctor may offer you different treatments depending on how they describe it.

How common is depression?

Depression can affect people of any age, including children. It is one of the most common mental illnesses. The number of people who have depression may be higher than this because not everyone with depression goes to their GP.

 What are the different types of depression?

You might have heard a number of terms used to describe depression. In this section, we explain what some of these terms mean.

Clinical depression

Clinical depression is a common term, but it is not a formal diagnosis. People sometimes say ‘clinical diagnosis’ to just mean they have been diagnosed by a doctor.

Depressive episode

Your doctor might say that you are going through a 'depressive episode'. This is the formal name that doctors give depression when they make a diagnosis. They may say that you are going through a 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe' episode.

Recurrent depressive disorder

If you have had repeated episodes of depression, your doctor might say that you have a recurrent depressive disorder. They may say that your current episode is 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe'.

Reactive depression

If your doctor thinks that your episode of depression was caused by particular stressful events in your life, they may say that it is reactive. For example, divorce, job or money worries. This is sometimes separated from an adjustment disorder, where you may struggle with some symptoms of depression because of adapting to a major change in your life. Such as separation from people, retirement or migrating to a new area.

A severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms

If you are going through a severe episode of depression, you may get hallucinations or delusions. A hallucination means you might hear, see, smell, taste or feel things that aren’t real. A delusion means that you might believe things that don’t match reality. These symptoms are called psychosis.

Dysthymia

Your doctor might diagnose you with dysthymia if you have felt low for several years, but the symptoms are not severe enough, or the episodes are not long enough for a doctor to diagnose the recurrent depressive disorder. 

Cyclothymia

Your doctor might diagnose cyclothymia if you struggle with persistently unstable moods. You might have several periods of depression and periods of mild elation. These periods of depression or elation are not severe enough or long enough to diagnose recurrent depression or bipolar disorder. It is a common illness that affects more than 1 in 10 women within 1 year of having a baby. You may get symptoms that are similar to those in other types of depression.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

This type of depression affects you at the same time of year, usually in the winter. The symptoms are similar to depression, but some people find they sleep more rather than less, and crave carbohydrates like chocolate, cakes, and bread.

Manic depression

Manic depression is the old name for bipolar disorder. It is a different illness to depression. People with this illness have highs (mania) and lows (depression)

Diagnosis & symptoms

What are the symptoms of depression and how is it diagnosed?

The NHS recommends that you should see your GP if you experience the symptoms of depression for most of the day and every day for over 2 weeks.

Doctors make decisions about a diagnosis based on guidelines. One guideline used by NHS doctors is the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

When you see a doctor they will look for the symptoms that are set out in the ICD-10 guidance. You do not have to have all of these to be diagnosed with depression. You might have just a few of them.

The symptoms of depression are:

• low mood, feeling sad, irritable or angry,
• having less energy to do certain things,
• losing interest or enjoyment in activities you used to enjoy,
• loss of concentration,
• becoming tired more easily,
• disturbed sleep and losing your appetite,
• feeling less good about yourself (loss of self-confidence), or
• feeling guilty or worthless.

You may also find that with low mood you:

• feel less pleasure from things,
• feel more agitated,
• lose interest in sex,
• find your thoughts and movements slow down, and
• have thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Your doctor should also ask about any possible causes of depression. They may also do some tests to check if you have any physical problems which might cause symptoms of depression such as an under-active thyroid.

Genetic factors

Some studies suggest that your genetics can play a part in developing depression. For example, one study found that particular genes may play a key role in developing recurrent depression. However, studies into the genetics of depression are at an early stage.

Your background and current situation

Researchers have also looked at whether having parents or other family members with depression can increase your chances of developing the condition. For example, some studies have looked into the effects having a mother with postpartum depression can have on children as they grow up.

Stressful events, such as problems at home or work, a relationship ending or financial issues may also make it more likely to experience depression.

Hormones and chemicals

Changes in your hormones and chemicals in your body may cause depressive symptoms.

For example, at some point, many women might find their mood is affected in the weeks before their period, called pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Some women may struggle with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) which has a lot of psychological symptoms similar to depression.

Having problems with your thyroid or having low levels of Vitamin B12 may also be linked to experiencing symptoms of depression.

Lifestyle factors

Some studies have shown that not exercising, being under or overweight and having fewer social relationships can increase the risk of experiencing depressive symptoms.

Drugs and alcohol

Both legal and illegal drugs might affect your mental health. If you take prescribed medications, it is important to make sure you take them in the way your doctor suggests.

Some people will drink alcohol as a way to relieve anxiety or depression. However, the evidence suggests that if you drink regularly or misuse alcohol you are at a greater risk of developing depression.

Other illnesses

Depression can come with other mental or physical health conditions such as diabetes or cancer. These conditions can make you feel low or maybe a trigger for depression.

Some people with brain injuries and dementia may also have changes in their moods.

How is depression treated?

The first step to getting treatment is to see your GP. If your GP thinks you have depression, they will talk to you about the treatments they can offer.

Talking therapies

Talking therapy is available on the NHS, from private healthcare providers and sometimes from charities. You will meet a trained therapist for a fixed number of sessions. Sometimes this will be with a group of people with depression.

There are different types of talking therapy that you might be offered. These include:

• cognitive-behavioural therapy,
• psychodynamic therapy,
• problem-solving therapy,
• interpersonal therapy,
• behaviour activation,
• group therapy,
• relationship counselling,
• bereavement counselling,
• mindfulness-based therapy, and
• counselling.

The type of therapy you are offered will depend on the cause of your symptoms and their severity. Therapies may also have different levels based on how long or intense the treatment is.

Ask your GP about therapy if you think it might help. Not all of these therapies will be available in your area. Some areas offer a self-referral option for NHS talking therapies. Please refer to your local Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service to find out about this option.

You may also be able to access therapy privately or through your employer in an Employee Assistance Programme.

When you finish treatment, your doctor may suggest Mindfulness-Based CBT (MCBT) which can be helpful if your depression comes back. MCBT combines mindfulness techniques like breathing exercises and meditation with CBT. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), recommend individual CBT or MCBT for people who struggle with their depression coming back, or relapsing.

What treatment should I be offered?

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) writes guidance on what treatment doctors should offer you. But your doctor does not have to give you these treatments and the treatments may not be available in your area.

Different treatments may be available in your area. Your doctor might think these suit your symptoms more than the recommended treatments.

NICE recommend that depression is treated in different steps depending on how severe the condition is for you. The steps are as follows:

Step 1: Everyone who may have depression

Your doctor should offer you:

• an assessment of your symptoms,
• support, such as contact in appointments or by telephone,
• information on how to deal with your symptoms,
• monitoring of your symptoms and follow-up, and
• referral for further assessment and treatment if needed.

Step 2: Mild to moderate depression

Your doctor may offer you:

• low-intensity interventions, such as self-help guided by the doctor or computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT),
• physical activity programmes,
• group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT),
• medication if you have a history of moderate or severe depression, or you have had symptoms for a long time, and
• referral for further assessment and treatment if needed.

Step 3: Moderate to severe depression, or mild to moderate depression when other treatments haven’t worked

Your doctor may suggest:

• medication,
• higher intensity therapy such as individual CBT or behavioural activation,
• combined treatments of both medication and therapies,
• support from different teams if you need it, and
• referral for further assessment and treatment if needed.

Step 4: Severe and complex depression or if your life is at risk

Your doctor may suggest:

• medication,
• high-intensity talking therapy,
• electroconvulsive therapy (ECT),
• crisis services,
• combinations of different treatments,
• support from different teams if you need it, and
• hospital treatment in emergencies.

Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one way of treating mild to moderate depression. You learn CBT techniques online using a computer. You will go through the same type of session as you would if you were with a therapist. It can be helpful after you have finished talking therapies to stop your symptoms coming back.

'Beating the Blues' is one of the CBT programmes you can get. They are free but you need to talk to your GP about it.

Antidepressants

Your doctor might offer you an antidepressant. You may need to try different types before you find one that works for you. If you do not want to take antidepressants, tell your doctor and you can discuss other options.

Antidepressants can have side effects and can affect other medicines you are taking. Your doctor will check if you have physical health conditions or if you take other medication.

It is important to talk to your doctor before you stop taking medication because stopping suddenly can cause problems.

Exercise Therapy

Regular exercise can help with your mood if you struggle with depression. Some GP surgeries will put you in touch with local exercise schemes. This is sometimes called ‘exercise on prescription’ and can give you access to free or reduced-cost programmes. 

Brain Simulation 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure sometimes used to treat severe depression. In this treatment, an electrical current is briefly passed through your brain while you are under general anaesthetic. This means you are not awake during the procedure. You should only have ECT if you have severe depression, it is life-threatening and treatment is needed as soon as possible. Or you may be given ECT if no other treatments have worked.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

This treatment involves using a small battery-operated machine to pass a low current through your brain to stimulate activity. You are awake during the procedure, with daily sessions for several weeks. NICE state that there is not a lot of good evidence for how tDCS works for depression, but there are no major safety concerns. 

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

TMS uses electromagnetic coils to deliver pulses of magnetic energy to specific parts of your brain. This stimulates the brain and may help to reduce depression and anxiety. You are awake during the procedure and can leave the hospital the same day. If this is offered, you may have daily sessions for several weeks. NICE have examined rTMS and found that it is safe and effective enough to be offered on the NHS. 

Complimentary or Alternative Therapies

Complementary therapies are treatments which are not part of mainstream medical care. They can include aromatherapy, herbal remedies, acupuncture, massage, meditation and yoga. These treatments may help improve your emotional wellbeing and may help with side effects.

What self-care and management skills can I try?

You can learn to manage your symptoms by looking after yourself. Self-care is how you take care of your diet, exercise, daily routine, relationships and how you are feeling. You will learn how to notice when you are becoming unwell and know what your triggers are.

Your diet

Our diet affects our physical health. Depending on what you eat you could develop problems like obesity, heart disease and diabetes. In the same way, the things we eat may affect our moods and mental health.

Some people deal with their depression by eating high-fat and high-sugar foods. Also, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can make you crave sugary carbohydrates like cakes and biscuits.

To manage your diet you can:

• eat regular meals,
• avoid skipping meals,
• eat a healthy balance of fat and reduce the amount of trans-fat you eat,
• eat fruit, vegetables and whole grains,
• eat oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring or trout,
• drink 6-8 glasses of water per day,
• limit your caffeine in drinks such as tea, coffee or fizzy drinks, and
• limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

To keep the risks from alcohol low, men and women should not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week.

If you have depression, making these changes may not have an instant impact on your mood. However, they can be important for long-term recovery.

Exercise

Exercising regularly can help your mood. You can exercise any way you like, so long as it safely increases your heart rate and makes you breathe faster. Exercise can also help if you have problems sleeping. Getting proper sleep may be important for your mental health.

How much you can do depends on your age, physical health and fitness. If you do not exercise already, start with small amounts and fit this into your daily routine. You can then slowly increase the amount you do. This approach may help with your motivation.

There are programmes like the NHS’s Couch to 5KM where they gradually help you go from doing no exercise to walking or jogging for 5 kilometres. Some other ideas are listed below.

• Going for a walk: You could get a pedometer or an app that counts your steps. Slowly challenge yourself to walk more steps and reach a goal.
• Cycling: Make sure you wear a helmet and high visibility vests or chest strap. Stick to quiet roads if you aren’t confident on a bike.
• Gardening: There may be a local NHS or charitable gardening scheme in your area. Ask your GP, volunteering services or social services.
• Jogging: Try jogging around the block to start with. Then slowly increase the amount of time you jog for or the distance you go.
• Playing a sport: Try speaking to friends or family to see if they will join you in a sport. Or join a local club. You could also look at individual sports.
• Gym: As well as indoor gyms, there are free ‘green gyms’ all across the country. See ‘The Conversation Volunteers’ website for more details.
• Housework: Doing housework in an active way can be good exercise.

Some mental health medication can cause problems with weight gain. Exercise could also help you manage this. 

You should speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about gaining weight due to medication. You should also speak to your doctor if you have any concerns before starting to exercise.

What risks and complications can depression cause?

Having depression can cause other problems. It can affect your mental health as well as your physical health, and it may affect other areas of your life too. For example, depression may cause:

• disturbed sleep,
• aches and pains,
• low sex drive,
• difficulties with work and your hobbies,
• difficulties keeping contact with friends and families, or
• suicidal thoughts.

Some people might also drink more alcohol to try and relieve depression. However, as we said in causes this can actually make depression worse.

If you have any of these problems, speak to your GP.

What if I am not happy with my treatment?

If you are not happy with your treatment you can:

• talk to your doctor to see if they can suggest changes,
• get an advocate to help you speak your doctor,
• ask for a second opinion if you feel it would help,
• contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and see whether they can help, or
• make a complaint.

There is more information about these options below.

Advocacy

An advocate is someone separate from mental health services but who understands the system and your rights. They can come to a meeting with you to help you get what you are entitled to.

You can search online to see if there are any local advocacy services in your area or Rethink Mental Illness Advice Service could search for you.

Second opinion

Talk to your doctor about your treatment to see if you can resolve the problem with them first. If you don’t agree with their decisions about diagnosis or treatment, you could ask for a second opinion. You are not legally entitled to a second opinion, but your doctor might agree to it if it would help with treatment options.

Complaints

It is best to try and solve the problem with the team or doctor first. If this does not help you can make a formal complaint. If you are unhappy with their response to your complaint, then you may be able t take this up to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

You can get an Independent Health Complaints Advocate (IHCA) to help you make a complaint against an NHS service.

Information for family, carers and friends

You can get support if you are a carer, friend or family member of someone living with depression.

You could get in touch with carer support groups or sibling support groups. You can search for local groups in your area online or ask your GP.

You can ask your local authority for a carer’s assessment if you need more practical support to help care for someone.

As a carer, you should be involved in decisions about care planning. There are rules about information sharing and confidentiality which may make it difficult for you to get all the information you need in some circumstances.

Supporting the person you care for

You might find it easier to support someone with depression if you understand their symptoms, treatment and self-management skills. You can use this to support them to get help and stay well.

Below are some initial suggestions for providing practical day to day support to someone with depression.

• Offer them emotional support by being a good listener, reminding them that treatment is available and reassuring them. Remember that depression is an illness and people cannot “snap out of it”.
• Encourage them to get some exercise and eat healthily. You could invite them out on walks, or help them do things they used to enjoy.
• Keep a note of changes in their medication, or their condition. This can help the person you care for in appointments.
• Help them to stay away from alcohol and other unhealthy things.
• Take them seriously if they are feeling very unwell and are thinking about hurting themselves.
• Encourage them to get professional help.

You could also try and find out about self-help or support groups in their area.

Think about what you can do if you are worried about someone’s mental state or risk of self-harm. It will help to keep details of their mental health team and discuss a crisis plan with them.