About the condition
Depression is a common mental illness. It affects around one-in-six people in Great Britain*.
Mild depression can make you feel low and stop you getting things done. People with severe depression can feel hopeless, and even might have thoughts of suicide.
People with depression can find life difficult and might withdraw socially. They often have anxiety at the same time.
Depression can be triggered by many factors including bereavement, job worries or giving birth, but sometimes there is no obvious cause.
Help and support is available, it can be treated, and most people make a full recovery — even after years.
Treatment might be lifestyle changes, talking therapies and medication (anti-depressants).
| Mental symptoms | Physical symptoms |
| Feeling sad, upset or tearful | Tiredness or sleep problems |
| Difficulty thinking clearly, lack of focus | Loss of appetite |
| A sense of guilt or lack of self-worth | Loss of libido |
| Feeling empty or emotionally numb | Aches and pains |
| Lacking self-confidence | Moving or speaking slowly |
| Being unable to find pleasure in things | Lack of energy |
| Feeling anxious, worried or restless | Changes to menstrual cycle |
| Thinking, or acting, on thoughts of self-harm, including suicide | |
Emergency help
If you need to talk to someone urgently or think you may attempt to take your own life, help is available from:
- Samaritans 24-hour crisis helpline – 116 123
- MIND – 0300 123 3393
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight)
- Papyrus (for under 35s) – 0800 068 41 41 (9am to midnight)
- Text SHOUT to 85258, and a trained crisis volunteer will text back
