Depression & Low Mood

What Is It?

Most people can feel low occasionally. Feeling sad is a normal reaction to experiences that are stressful or upsetting. However, when these feelings go on and on and interfere with your whole life, it can become a mental health difficulty, known as ‘depression’. Sometimes depression occurs following a particular event (such as someone close to you passing away) and sometimes it can just develop. The symptoms of depression can include:

Being moody and irritable
Becoming withdrawn – avoiding friends, family and regular activities
Feeling guilty or bad, being self-critical – hating yourself
Feeling unhappy, miserable and lonely a lot of the time
Feeling hopeless and wanting to die
Finding it difficult to concentrate
Not looking after your personal appearance
Changes to eating and sleep patterns
Suffering aches and pains, such as headaches or stomach-aches

What Might Help?

Talk to someone. Someone who you trust and can help (a parent, a teacher at school or friend).
Look after yourself. Having a good sleep routine and eating regularly can help. Exercise is also great way of relieving stress and can make you feel good too.
Doing things. Try to keep yourself occupied by doing activities, even if you feel you do not really enjoy them. Try not to stay all alone in your room, especially during the day.
Listen to your thoughts. Being aware of unhelpful thinking patterns and finding ways to challenge these thoughts may help to improve your mood.
Seek professional help. If symptoms continue, you may need extra help. Speak with your School Nurse or your GP about treatment options (they may refer you to CAMHS for more specialist help).

Depression & Low Mood

What Is It?

What Might Help?

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