Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors. People who have gone through adverse life events are more likely to develop depression, and depression can, in turn, lead to more stress and dysfunction and worsen the affected person’s life situation and the condition itself.
Depression is closely related to and affected by physical health. Many of the factors that influence depression (such as physical inactivity or harmful use of alcohol) are also known risk factors for diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases. In turn, people with these diseases may also find themselves experiencing depression due to the difficulties associated with managing their condition.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mental health disorder that causes a chronic feeling of emptiness, sadness, or inability to feel pleasure that may appear to happen for no clear reason.
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It can undermine a person’s relationships, make working and maintaining good health very difficult, and in severe cases, may lead to suicide. In fact, depression contributes to nearly 700,000 suicides across the world each year.
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Depression doesn't discriminate - It can affect adults, adolescents, and children.
Symptoms of depression
The symptoms of depression vary from person to person, but they commonly include:
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Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
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Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
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Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
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Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
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Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
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Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
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Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
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Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
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Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
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Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
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Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
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Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
Causes of depression
Depression is a complex mental health disorder and it can happen for a variety of reasons.
Some people have depression during a serious medical illness. Others may have depression because of big life changes such as a move or the death of a loved one. Some people also have a family history of depression and may feel overwhelmed with sadness and loneliness for no known reason.
Lots of things can increase the chance of depression, including:
Abuse. Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can make you more vulnerable to depression later in life.
Age. If you're elderly, you're at a higher risk of depression. And factors such as living alone and lacking social support can add to the risk.
Certain medications. Some drugs, used to treat other physical ailments, can increase your risk of depression.
Conflict. If you have frequent personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends, it may make you biologically vulnerable to depression.
Death or a loss. Sadness or grief after the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, can increase your risk of depression.
Gender. Women are about twice as likely as men to become depressed. The hormonal changes that women go through at different times of their lives may play a role - with post natal depression affecting 1 in 7 women.
Genes. A family history of depression may increase the risk. With depression being a complex trait, there are probably many different genes, with each exerting small effects, rather than a single gene leading to disease risk. The genetics of depression, like most psychiatric disorders, is not as simple as that of purely genetic diseases, such as Huntington's chorea or cystic fibrosis.
Major events. Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring. However, severe clinical depression is never just a "normal" response to stressful life events.
Other personal problems. Problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses or being cast out of your family or social group can add to your risk for clinical depression.
Serious illnesses. Sometimes, depression happens along with a major illness or may be triggered by another medical condition.
Substance misuse. Nearly 30% of people with substance misuse problems also have major or clinical depression. Even if drugs or alcohol temporarily make you feel better, they ultimately will worsen your depression.
Depression in men
Depression in men often manifests differently than in women because men face unique pressures from societal expectations and norms around how they should and shouldn’t behave.
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Society's expectations and traditional gender roles play a role in why men are less likely to discuss or seek help for their mental health problems. We know that gender stereotypes about women – the idea they should behave or look a certain way, for example – can be damaging to them. But it’s important to understand that stereotypes and expectations can also damage men.
Men are often expected to be the breadwinners and to be strong, dominant and in control. While these aren’t inherently bad things, they can make it harder for men to reach out for help and open up.
Men may also be more likely to use potentially harmful coping methods such as drugs or alcohol and less likely to talk to family or friends about their mental health.
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Lots of men struggle with depression throughout their lives and it can impact on them in many ways. Some men struggle to talk about their feelings or reach out for help, which can mean their depression gets worse over time. This may be because they believe that depression is a sign of weakness, or that they should simply ‘man up’, which can lead to some men trying to downplay how they’re feeling or cover it up.
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The differences in how men experience and express depression can lead to underdiagnoses or misunderstandings about the disorder, and it doesn't help that men are less likely to reach out for help when they need it.
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For any men in this position, it’s crucial to understand that depression is a completely treatable mental illness, and there is no shame in asking for, or accepting help.
How can this workshop help me overcome depression?
As we have already highlighted, depression can be a complex mental health disorder.
It is very important to remember there is no one size fits all approach to treating it, nor will a 3-hour workshop claim to do that, however, we understand regular therapy can be expensive, so we have designed this workshop to ensure everybody has access to at least the basic knowledge and information that can serve as a starting point for recovery from depression.
Our workshop can help you begin to:
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Understand your depression
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Identify and modify your negative thoughts and behaviours that may be maintaining depression
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Uncover unhealthy patterns of thought
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Develop techniques to reinforce positive thoughts
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Improve your overall outlook on life
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Adopt healthier thinking patterns and habits
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Provide a supportive environment and community to ensure you feel less alone
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"Depression is like being constantly told how colourful the world is - but you're colourblind."
– Anon