Feeling sad sometimes is normal. But you shouldn't feel sad or low most of the time. This is depression.
It can also manifest itself in feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, worthlessness and guilt. You may lose interest in things you once enjoyed, your sleep pattern changes, you feel perpetually tired, cannot concentrate, over-eat or starve yourself. Depression is a genuine mental illness. It's surprisingly common amongst women, twice as often as men.
Making changes to your lifestyle can help. Exercise, particularly vigorous activities that make you slightly short of breath causes a rush of endorphins, the brain's own natural mood-lifters; the right diet high in carbohydrates and low in protein can increase levels of serotonin in the brain. Omega 3 fatty acids helps too.
Treatments include antidepressants (SSRIs - selective serontonin uptake inhibitors, and tricyclics) and "talk therapies". Counselling focuses on you talking and thinking your way through a problem. Psychotherapy works on a deeper level, helping you to understand your depression better and to alter the way you think and feel. Dr Rosemary Leonard
