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

Depression self assessment

This NHS self-assessment test will help you to assess whether you could be suffering from depression. Answer the questions based on how you've been feeling during the last two weeks.

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.

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.