Mental Health and Wellbeing Information
Depression
What is Depression?
Depression is a common and serious illness that affects 7 in 100 adults in Scotland in any year. A person with depression feels persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days. Depending on the symptoms a person may experience;
- Mild depression - has some impact on daily life
- Moderate depression - has a significant impact on daily life
- Severe depression - makes it almost impossible to get through daily life
Symptoms of Depression
Physical Effects
- Physical aches and pains
- Moving or speaking more slowly than usual
- Lack of energy
- Loss of interest in food or eating to much (weight loss or weight gain)
- Constipation
- Disturbed sleep or sleeping too much
- Headaches
Psychological Effects
- Lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
- Having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self harm
Possible Impacts in the Workplace
- Changes in a person's usual behaviour
- Changes in emotional mood
- Feeling tearful
- Performance issues
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty making decisions
- Poor judgement
- Loss of motivation
- Tiredness
- Timekeeping issues
- Increased sickness absence
- Loss of Humour
- Taking part in fewer social activities
- Avoiding contact with colleagues
- Loss of interest in personal appearance
- Working realtionship difficulties
- Increased use of alcohol, smoking and caffeine
- Increased sickness absence
Understanding Depression
We have chosen a selection of 4 videos for you to watch, these videos help to understand depression, and offer an insight into this mentally debilitating illness.
What is depression?
What's going on inside of a depressed person?
The Science of Depression by ASAPSCIENCE
I had a black dog and his name was depression
A film by The World Health Organisation
Why we need to talk about depression
How can I help myself?
It could be worth trying some self help techniques which may help to improve your symptoms;
- Eating a healthy diet
- Reducing your alcohol intake
- Taking regular exercise
- A regular good night's sleep
- Mindfulness
- Counselling
You can access our self help page for advice and tips; How to maintain positive mental health & wellbeing
You may like to try the NHS mood self assesment quiz
CBT can be accessed through Living life - a telephone support service, online mental health services , moodzone or self help books
If you are finding it difficult to manage your symptoms, contact your GP or have a discussion with your line manager who may refer you to Occupational Health.