Depression is a very common problem. Anyone can suffer from the condition regardless of gender, age, education or cultural background, but it is no sign of weakness. In fact, more than 15% of adults will become depressed at some point in their lives.

People who experience depression may feel down in the dumps for large parts of the day, feel like crying or generally overwhelmed with everyday things. They can also lose their motivation and interest to take part in their normal daily activities, and may have very gloomy and negative thoughts about themselves, others or the future. Now and then we can all feel and think like that, but we generally speak of depression when those feelings last for most of the day for a prolonged period of time – for at least 2 weeks.

What causes Depression to develop?
We all have the capacity to experience symptoms of depression from time to time and it is usual to feel some of these things now and then. This is especially true when we have lost someone close to us. Then these symptoms are part of a normal reaction to loss and should resolve with time.

We know that depression can follow as a reaction to difficult life events such as:

• Loss: the death of a loved one; a relationship breakdown; miscarriage; the loss of a job; or the loss of a beloved animal can all trigger an episode of low mood/depression.
• Stress: caused through too many or too few demands either at work and/or at home; stress caused through job insecurity; unemployment or money worries can also lead to feeling depressed and low.
• Life changes and transitions: such as leaving school, getting married, moving house, the arrival of a baby or retirement can also be experienced as demanding and require adjustment, which can cause low mood for some time.
• Relationship difficulties or being bullied or isolated.
• Physical health: especially when suffering with a chronic illness, experiencing substantial or prolonged pain or having been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Gain control
Often there is more than one factor responsible for developing depression. However, there may not always be an identifiable trigger and it seems as though depression comes “out of the blue”. This can sometimes be difficult to understand and may make the experience of depression for the person feel worse.

Even if we are not able to identify a particular trigger or cause there are still things that can be done to help you to gain more control and make changes to the way you feel.