SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Depression
Many of us can feel sad or low at times but this can be a perfectly normal response to life events. However, when this feeling persists for a long time and particularly if accompanied by physical symptoms, you may be experiencing depression.
Common symptoms:
Feeling low in mood for several weeks
Sleeping more or less than usual
Eating more or less than usual
Difficulties with concentration
Lacking energy to get through the day (or feeling agitated or restless if also experiencing )
No longer enjoying the things you used to
Avoiding other people
Feeling irritable or grumpy
Experiencing negative thoughts such as hopelessness, helplessness and/or worthlessness
Not washing or caring for yourself or your appearance in the way you usually would
Negative thoughts can be in relation to how you feel about yourself or your situation. Sometimes this can feel overwhelming and can lead you to have thoughts of wanting to self-harm or of suicide.
What you can do:
Depression is treatable and talking therapies are very effective. Finding a trusted person you can talk with is helpful. There are also things you can do to help yourself. See our self-help for depression for some ideas.
Anxiety
Our brains and bodies are designed to recognise threat and react quickly in order to protect ourselves. Therefore, it is natural to experience worries or fear in certain situations. However, when you find yourself consumed by worries that prevent you from doing the things you want to in life, or are worried or fearful of things you know rationally are not dangerous, it is time to ask for help.
Common symptoms:
Feeling overwhelmed by worries about what could happen (What if?..)
Heart racing
Breathing fast
Sweaty palms
Feeling or being sick
Upset tummy
An urge to get away
Feeling angry or irritable
Avoiding situations that make you feel anxious
Trouble sleeping due to anxious thoughts
Imagining the worst
Not being able to problem solve your worries, feeling paralysed by them
What you can do:
Talking with someone is the first step in getting help. There are also things you can do to help yourself such as practising relaxation exercises and Mindfulness. See our self-help for anxiety for other tips.
Self-Harm
People can harm themselves in a range of ways for a wide variety of reasons. This can vary from behaviours such as smoking, drinking or using substances, to cutting or burning oneself or ingesting toxic substances.
Self-harm can be a very misunderstood behaviour and people who engage in it can be worried that they will be labelled as “attention seeking”. This is a most unhelpful label as we all need attention. Some people will be very open about their self-harm, others are extremely secretive and may feel ashamed, guilty or embarrassed.
Types of self-harm:
Drinking alcohol to excess
Substance use
Engaging in risky behaviours
Scratching at skin
Punching walls
Hitting your head
Starving oneself
Reasons people might self-harm:
To release feelings that are intolerable
To change emotional pain into physical pain
To feel “something” when otherwise feeling numb or empty
To communicate distress to others when unable to in any other way
To punish oneself
To elicit some form of care (by needing to attend A&E/GP surgery)
To feel in control
What you can do:
Let someone know who you feel comfortable with. Let them help you. Make sure you get any significant injuries treated appropriately by attending your GP walk-in centre or A&E department.
See our self-help guide for alternative coping strategies.
Suicidal Thoughts
People can experience suicidal thoughts at times of extreme stress or after prolonged periods of low mood. These can vary in intensity from fleeting thoughts of not feeling able to go on up to planning exactly how to end your life.
Common thoughts and feelings:
Feeling overwhelmed and that you can’t go on
Feeling hopeless
Feeling like there is no point anymore
Feeling alone
Thinking people would be better off without you
Thinking there is no way out
Feeling like nothing is ever going to change or get better
Thinking that no-one cares
Being unable to see a future for yourself
Feeling like no-one can help you
Feeling like a burden to others
Urges to self-harm
Self-harm not feeling as effective any more
What you can do:
There is help, you are not alone. These feelings do pass but you need support to help them to pass and to keep them from resurfacing. Many people who have experienced suicidal thoughts go on to live satisfying and fulfilling lives.
If you are experiencing active suicidal thoughts, you can get help immediately from:
First Response Service by ringing and choosing Option 2
Contact the Samaritans on 116 123
Go to your nearest A&E department
See our self-help guide for other ways of managing suicidal thoughts