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GP Alice Fitzgibbon explores an issue which the statistics reveal to be a particular problem in construction
Let’s talk about mental health again. This topic keeps popping up because it’s important to talk about – both our own mental health and the mental health of those around us. This month we revisit the condition of depression – having a persistently low mood.
Depression is a condition that will affect 1 in 10 of us at some point in our lives. It can be mild, moderate, severe or somewhere in between. Sometimes it comes in episodes of several weeks or months, or it can be a constant low mood. Some people become depressed for no identifiable reason. In others, low mood can be related to childhood events, bereavement, significant life events or genetics.
Everyone has a range of feelings. It is normal to experience different feelings at different times such as feeling happy you are spending time with loved ones or feeling sad that someone has passed away. This is appropriate. With depression, feeling down, sad, hopeless and being tearful might happen with no reason behind it. Losing interest and enjoyment in activities you used to find entertaining might also be a sign. Increasing symptoms of anxiety, worry and irritability can also feature.
Depression can cause concentration difficulties which might impact at work, a lack of motivation like you have lost your “get up and go” and it might also make you feel exhausted due to waking up early in the morning or struggling to sleep. Some people feel constantly tired and sleepy and struggle to get out of bed at all. Having a collection of these symptoms together for a period of longer than two weeks continuously might be considered depression.
Depression brings negative feelings and thoughts that won’t go away. Some people may feel embarrassed about having negative thoughts and feelings without reason to – but you can still be depressed even if everything in your life seems perfect. Being open and talking about your feelings can be really difficult which is why some people hide their depression. Talking about it can really help.
Sometimes, these unwanted thoughts are centred around feelings of hopelessness or feeling like you want to harm yourself. Having these thoughts is part of the illness and many people recognise these feelings as a symptom – they are then able to see past them. For others, often with more severe depression, these thoughts can be more difficult to get rid of and become overwhelming. In some cases, people who are unwell act on their thoughts and end up harming themselves. This is not the answer. Help is always available to anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts – speaking to someone about how you feel can save your life. Friends, family members, the GP, another health professional or the Samaritans (call 116 123) are all ready to listen.
Depression can also have physical symptoms. Feeling more tired than normal, sleeping poorly, experiencing changes in appetite, loss of sex drive and feeling aches and pains in your body can all be linked to depression. Often as a GP, I see patients come looking for help with physical symptoms. After a good chat and exploring different causes, it might become clear that their mood is the underlying issue.
Sometimes depression is difficult to recognise in yourself. Family members and friends may notice you are not your normal self. This can be upsetting to hear even if you know it is true. Don’t deny depression – it is an illness like many others and treatment is available. This illness can make you feel like there is no hope and that you will never feel better again. But the chances are that you will if you get the right help. Treatments for depression work. They vary from self-help techniques – meditation, exercise and lifestyle changes, to talking therapies and specialist psychological therapies to medication – antidepressant tablets. In severe cases of depression, the GP might refer to a local psychiatry team for help in managing the symptoms and to get more support.
For further information on depression visit Home – Mind.
