There are few who will go through life completely untouched by depression, with the majority affected either directly through personal experience, or indirectly (by having someone close to them such as their partner, child, friend or another family member suffer).

The experience of depression, its severity and symptoms, vary among sufferers. There are, however, a few hallmarks which the majority of sufferers will recognise such as feelings of worthlessness, loss of motivation (everything feels like ‘too much effort’ and/or feels meaningless) and a general unhappiness with life and self.

Depression is a debilitating condition which affects one’s ability to enjoy life. Left untreated, depression can whittle away a sufferer’s self-confidence and sense of self-mastery (e.g., their sense of being able to ‘cope’ with life). People who are depressed find it hard to find meaning in their lives or to believe in the future. Previously passionate people can become unrecognisable to themselves, their family and friends, as their once full lives are dwarfed by depression.

The loss of, or lack of hope which characterises depression can make sufferers appear extremely pessimistic. Such negativity can take its toll on the depressed person’s loved ones as they try [unsuccessfully] to buoy them up with positive sentiments.

One sufferer has likened her depression to a mental filter or ‘shroud’ which distorts her thinking and feelings. Indeed, depression tends to permeate all areas of life and to affect a sufferer’s view of themselves and the world. Decision making abilities and energy levels are adversely affected, which can result in normal everyday tasks feeling overwhelming to the sufferer and getting neglected. Sufferers can find it hard to maintain employment and/or other commitments. Sleep may be disrupted and appetite changed (increased or decreased).

When a person’s depression remains untreated over time their relationships will, inevitably, suffer. Feelings of being unable to relate as one once did to others are common, as are feelings of inadequacy. Self-recrimination is also common with sufferers often guilty about the toll their depression is taking on those around them, yet feeling powerless to change it.

Depression often co-exists with anxiety. This can take the form of extreme social anxiety, which, in turn, leads to people withdrawing from and avoiding once enjoyed relationships and social activity. Although the temptation to withdraw from others is strong, giving into this temptation can worsen a person’s depression. Similarly, ‘self-medication’ through the use of alcohol and/or illicit drugs (a behaviour regularly seen in sufferers of depression) only serves to worsen depression.

Extreme and/or untreated depression can lead to thoughts of suicide. More often than not a person who has thoughts of suicide does not want to die but, rather, can not bear the thought of continuing to live with their depression. Accordingly, intervention/treatment is paramount.

Successful treatment of depression is regularly underpinned by the compassion and support of others but, always, requires the sufferer be compassionate towards oneself. If you believe you are suffering from depression, show yourself some compassion today and take the first step towards getting better. You can do this by enlisting the support of someone such as your G.P. who will be able to offer a diagnosis and/or offer a referral to a psychologist (or similar professional).