Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe.

They can involve:

• Feeling sad or being in a depressed mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• Changes in appetite – weight loss or gain not from dieting
• Difficulty sleeping or over sleeping
• Low energy or being more fatigued than usual
• Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., unable to sit still; pacing up and down; wringing your hands
•  Slower movements or speech (severe enough to be noticed by others)
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
• Thinking about death or suicide

Symptoms must have lasted at least two weeks and must be a change in your previous level of functioning to qualify for a diagnosis of depression.

If you think you may be experiencing depression, ask your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan and contact Chapman Marques Psychology and Relationship Counselling – phone Reception or book online.