Depression

You might wonder whether you are depressed or just have low mood.

Low mood is not unusual. Maybe something has happened to upset you or make you sad, or life has thrown some difficult situations at you which are making you feel down. A low mood would generally pass quite quickly.

Depression is a common mental health problem. It feels heavier, like a never ending low mood, and you might feel worthless and terribly unhappy. Some people with depression are still able to function to a certain degree, whereas others can spiral down to a point where they might even feel suicidal, which could then be life threatening.

Recognising the signs

Sadness
Feeling worthless
Guilt and shame
Lethargy or feeling restless
Lack of enjoyment and pleasure
Low sex drive or sexual dysfunction
Isolation – avoiding people and your friends and loved ones
Lack of focus and concentration
Repetitive thoughts/ruminating
Thoughts about not wanting to live, suicide or self harm
Lack of appetite or too much appetite
Disturbed sleep
Aches and Pains
Feeling hopeless and despairing
Feeling an emptiness or numbness inside

Seeking Support

If you are concerned about your mood or are feeling depressed, you can contact the RCN to set up an appointment with our confidential telephone counselling service. You can then talk through how you are feeling and counselling might be able to help you improve your mental wellbeing.

See RCN counselling for more details about accessing telephone counselling through the RCN, or for details about listening services and support lines that you can use.

RCN Peer Support Network

Once you have sought professional help for your depression, you may wish to engage with our peer support network. There are many members in the network dealing with depression. Through email, phone calls, texts and on our Facebook group, members connect to share their experience of depression and speak to fellow healthcare professionals who understand what they are going through. If you'd like to become a member of the RCN Peer Support Service, please complete the joining application form.