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Depression

What is Depression?

Depression means different things to different people. It is a word which is used to cover,

• All the ups and downs of daily life
• The sorrow that follows naturally after loss or disappointment
• The disruption of thought and emotion severe enough to be seen as an illness

Depression can, for example, be linked to:

• Major life changes (leaving home, relationships ending, bereavement)
• Experience of trauma - recent or past
• Illness (eg glandular fever or other viral illness)
• Excessive stress
• Substance abuse
• Experience or history of depression in the family
• Fears and worries for which there are no clear solutions
• Particular times of the year or month

How Common is it?

It has been estimated that up to 15-20% of people experience depression at some point in their lives. Students are no different from the general population. There are many factors in contemporary student life which can make a sense of well being harder to achieve. Many suffer silently, thinking their symptoms are too trivial - or shameful - to admit. This can make it difficult to seek support.

How do I know if I am depressed?

Doctors use some of the following indicators to help identify depression:

• Loss of interest or pleasure in almost any activity
• Depressed mood
• Loss of appetite or unintentional weight change
• Too much or too little sleep
• Feelings of restlessness or slugishness
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• An inability to think clearly or concentate
• Persistent thoughts of death or suicide

Sometimes depression can manifest itself through physical symptoms such as aches or pains, headaches, dizziness, backache, tummy or bowel upsets. If your symptoms last for more than two weeks, consider seeking help.

What can be done?

A large proportion of a GP's work involves dealing with this sort of problem. Making an appointment to see your doctor can be an important first step in getting help. Your doctor will discuss the options available to you, including ongoing medical support, medication and referral to a clinical psychologist, psychiatric or counsellor.

Modern drug treatment for depression can be very effective and is not addictive. Many sufferers use a combination of drug treatment and 'talking cures' to help them recover from depression.

If you are registered with the Student Health Service at the Old Aberdeen Medical Practice you can discuss your situation with your doctor. Tel (01224) 486702.

What support is available at University?

The Counselling Service offers confidential support and you can arrange an appointment here. The Counselling Service also has links to local sources of help.

Within the University help is also available from Wardens, if you live in halls, Chaplains, the SRC and academic staff, including advisors. Your confidentiality will be respected if you choose to discuss your situation with any member of staff.

Whatever you decide remember that:

• Your aim is to get well and stay well
• Recovery is the rule, not the exception
• It is important to discuss any concerns you might have about referral or medication with your doctor
• Depression is not a character defect or weakness
• Treatments are effective and there are many options
• You can become alert to early signs and symptoms of a recurrence and seek treatment and support early if this happens.

Self Help?

If you feel depressed or uncharacteristically low there are some things you can do to try to help:

• Break difficulties down into smaller tasks to be tackled one by one
• Try to keep active, both mentally and physically
• Each day try to do something you have avoided, no matter how small
• Each day rather than focussing on things that are duties or obligations, try to do something that you normally enjoy. This is a way of valuing yourself
• Try to keep in contact with other people
• Try to accept what cannot be changed
• Try a stress reduction method such as yoga, a relaxation tape or a restful piece of music. The Counselling Service has relaxation tapes for sale. There are also a range of alternative therapies available through the Sports and Recreation at the Butchart, these include massage, reflexology, shiatsu
• Talk through your worries with a friend or relative if you can

Useful Books

• "Depression. The way out of your prison" : Dorothy Rowe, Routledge 1983
• "Darkness Visible" : William Styron, Picador 1991
• "Depression" : Jack Dominion, Collins 1990
• "Malignant Sadness. The Anatomy of Depression" : Lewis Wolpert, BBC 1999

Links

• www.mentalhealth.com
• www.apa.org/pubinfo/depress.html
• www.abdn.ac.uk/central/students/
• www.samaritans.org.uk/

More help is available through the Links page.

Local Sources of Help

Grampian Caredata is an up to date computer package of local resources and self help groups. It is available in the Foresterhill library.

Samaritans (01224) 574488 24 hr counselling, or 08457 909090 (National Helpline)