Depression

Are you depressed?

Some common signs of depression

• Having an extended period of low mood or feeling unhappy
• Having a lot of negative thoughts or feeling very negative about life in general
• Changes in sleep patterns. Either sleeping more or trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.  Waking up early.
• Changes in eating patterns. Either eating more or less
• Feeling very tired
• Lack of energy
• Thoughts of hopelessness or worthlessness and lack of confidence in self
• Difficulty thinking straight and making decisions
• Lack of motivation or interest in things that you used to enjoy
• Loss of interest in exercise
• Craving more time along, not wanting to see others or be sociable
• Feeling more irritable or impatient
• Having more anxious thoughts
• Thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life

Things that may help

• Talking to someone
• Prioritising taking care of yourself
• Trying to eat well
• Trying to sleep well
• Getting some exercise
• Doing something sociable
• Doing something that you find enjoyable
• Quieten any critical thoughts, try being kind and compassionate to yourself
• Be your own best friend
• Remember that it is very common to have a period of depression and that it will pass

Ideas of things that may help.  Having a bath,  watching something you enjoy,  listening to favourite music,  going for a walk,  chatting to a friend,  going for a swim,  having a sauna or massage,  listening to some guided meditation,  spending time with a pet eg walking the dog or stoking the cat,  visiting a place you like or getting out into nature.