Depression is an illness that affects your mood, your self-esteem, your will-power and your body.  Some people say that depression feels like a black curtain of despair coming down over their lives.  Many people feel like they have no energy and can't concentrate. Others feel irritable all the time for no apparent reason. The symptoms vary from person to person, but if you feel "down" for more than two weeks, and these feelings are interfering with your daily life, you may be depressed.

Signs and symptoms: despondency, a feeling that nothing is any good, there is no hope; sense of inadequacy, feeling unable to cope; guilt; tearfulness; irritability; loss of or increase in appetite; difficulty in getting to sleep or waking early; obsessive fears; loss of interest in sex; difficulty in concentrating.

Most people with depression never seek help, even though the majority will respond to treatment. Treating depression is especially important because it affects you, your family, and your work. Some people with depression try to harm themselves in the mistaken belief that how they are feeling will never change.  You may be convinced that your case is so bad, so overwhelming and hopeless, that you will never get better, however depression is a treatable illness.  No matter how terrible your depression may feel, the prognosis for recovery is excellent. 

Contact me at new life horizons about one to one counselling.  Talking about your experience can help.