Depression is an illness caused by changes in our brain chemistry. The World Health Organisation says that it’s one of the most disabling disorders there is, and it’s surprisingly common, affecting one in five women and one in ten men in their lifetime.
People experience depression in different ways. It may interfere with your daily work, resulting in lost time and lower productivity. It can also influence relationships and some chronic health conditions.
Health conditions which can worsen due to depression:
- arthritis
- asthma
- cardiovascular disease
- cancer
- diabetes
- obesity
It’s important to realize that feeling down at times is a normal part of life. Sad and upsetting events happen to everyone. But, if you’re feeling down or hopeless on a regular basis, you could be dealing with depression.
Depression is considered a serious medical condition that can get worse without proper treatment. Those who seek treatment often see improvements in symptoms in just a few weeks.
While being depressed isn’t something you can just ‘snap out’ of, it can be treated. But lots of people who have depression never recognise their symptoms and so don’t get the help or support they need.
