Depression
Signs of depression | You're
not alone! | Richard's story | Help and info
At the start of National Depression Week, VEE-TV looks at the
human story behind the statistics.
Do you think you might be depressed? Or do you know someone who is?
It's quite likely that you do, because according to Depression Alliance,
one in five people will be affected by depression at some stage in their
lives and more than 2.9 million people in the UK are suffering at any
one time. Moreover, according to Mind, deaf people are more likely to
be diagnosed with depression or anxiety than hearing people. Studies
into the Deaf community led by Mind found that 38% were experiencing
some form of mental distress.
Signs of depression
According to Depression Alliance, some of the most common symptoms of
depression are:
- Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
- Feeling useless, inadequate, 'bad'
- Self-hatred, constant questioning of thoughts and actions, an overwhelming
need for reassurance
- Being vulnerable and 'over-sensitive'
- Feeling guilty
- A loss of energy and motivation, making even the simplest tasks or
decisions seem difficult
- Self-harm
- Loss or gain in weight
- Difficulty with getting to sleep, or (less frequently) an excessive
desire to sleep
- Agitation and restlessness
- Loss of sex drive
- Finding it impossible to concentrate for any length of time, forgetfulness,
and a sense of unreality
- Physical aches and pains, sometimes with the fear that you are seriously
ill
Severe depression may involve:
- Thoughts of suicide
- Failure to eat or drink
- Delusions and/or hallucinations
You're not alone!
If you're feeling depressed, remember that this is an illness that can
affect anyone at any age. It is not connected with and does not
develop into insanity. Even more importantly, depression
can be treated: there is no need to try to cope alone.
The best approach and treatment depends to some extent on the individual
concerned and on the severity of the depression. Talking to your GP is
a good starting-point.
Many people who are severely depressed find that a period on anti-depressant
drugs is very helpful. However, there have been concerns that such drugs
are over-prescribed, and some people have had problems with side-effects.
If you think your depression is mild, or you don't want to contact your
GP, you could consider using one or more of the resources listed below.
As Richard Carter found, there are lots of things that you can do to
get help and help yourself if you feel depressed.
Richard's story
Richard Carter, 33, who is deaf, had been feeling very down. His head
felt 'cloudy' and he was always tired. All the same, he was shocked when
the doctor told him he was suffering from depression.
That night, he took one of the anti-depressant tablets the doctor gave
him. But he says it made him feel very tired and he slept for nearly
24 hours. So the next day, he threw the pills away without telling anyone.
Richard kept all his problems to himself and things got so bad that
he felt he couldn't trust anyone around him, including his friends and
family, because he believed they were deliberately trying to confuse
him. He became so desperate that he contemplated suicide.
But then Richard went to see a new doctor, who accepted that Richard
didn't want to take drugs and instead recommended regular exercise and
other activities to keep himself occupied, as well as a period off work
to escape stress. He also recommended that he should talk to friends
about how he was feeling. And slowly, Richard began to feel better.
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Help and information
Organisations
National Deaf Services
South West London and St George's Mental Health Services NHS Trust
Old Church
146a Bedford Hill
London SW12 9HW
Textphone: 020 8675 2200
Voice: 020 8675 2100
Videophone: 020 8675 9707
Fax: 020 8675 2266
E-mail: oldchurch@nationaldeafservices.com
Website: www.nationaldeafservices.com
National Deaf Services provides a comprehensive range of mental health services
for deaf people, including services for adults, a child and family service,
psychotherapy and counselling and an established community home network.
British Deaf Association Health and Counselling Service
13 Wilson Patten Street
Warrington
Cheshire WA1 1PG
Voice: 01925 652520 (9.30am–4.30pm daily)
Textphone: 01925 652529 (9.30am–4.30pm daily and Wednesday 7-10pm)
Videophone: 01925 630169
Fax: 01925 652526
E-mail: michelles@bda.org.uk
Website: www.bda.org.uk
General advisory helpline for information and guidance. Also offers health
and counselling services throughout the UK. Self-referrals accepted. Provides
a buddy service.
Sign (National Society for Mental Health and Deafness)
13 Station Road
Beaconsfield
Bucks HP9 1YP
Voice/text: 01494 816 777
Fax: 01494 812 555
E-mail: info@signcharity.org.uk
Website: www.signcharity.org.uk
Provides supported living, advocacy, outreach and club house activities for
any deaf person in need of emotional support. Head office for clubs based in
London, Manchester, Leeds and Buckinghamshire. Contact for information about
services and campaigns.
Deaf Counselling Network
Contact: Trudi Collier
E-mail: trudi.collier@btopenworld.com
Fax: 01569 763992
Can provide a list of deaf/signing counsellors.
Depression Alliance
35 Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7JB
Textphone: 020 7928 9992
Voice: 0845 123 23 20
E-mail: information@depressionalliance.org
Website (national): www.depressionalliance.org
Website (Scotland): www.depressionalliance.org/scotland/Scotland_news.htm
Website (Wales): www.depressionalliance.org/wales/index.htm
Depression Alliance is the leading UK charity for people affected by depression.
The website contains information about the symptoms and treatments of depression,
as well as about Depression Alliance campaigns and local groups.
Mind
15–19 Broadway
London E15 4BQ
Textphone: 0845 766 0163 (Mon-Fri 9.15am–5.15pm)
(BT Text: add prefix
18001)
fax: 020 8522 1725
E-mail: contact@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. Extremely comprehensive
section on deafness and mental health including factsheets and many links.
NHS Direct
www.nhsdirect.com (England)
www.nhs24.com (Scotland)
www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk (Wales)
Textphone: 0845 606 46 47
NHS Direct operates a 24-hour advice and health information service, providing
confidential information on health conditions, local healthcare services and
self help/support organisations.
Samaritans
Chris
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
Textphone: 08457 90 91 92
Voice: 08457 909090
E-mail: jo@samaritans.org.uk
www.samaritans.co.uk
Samaritans is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support
for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including
those which may lead to suicide.
British Society for Mental Health and Deafness
Westwood Park
London Road
Little Horkesley
Colchester CO6 4BS
Textphone: 01206 274076
Voice: 01206 274075
Fax: 01206 274077
E-mail: info@bsmhd.org.uk
Website: www.bsmhd.org.uk
Aims to promote the mental health of deaf people. Organises annual conferences
and hosts Healthy Deaf Minds meetings, where there are presentations and lively
discussions on issues surrounding mental health and deafness. In May 2004 there
will be a one day multi-disciplinary conference in Cardiff for all mental health
professionals and those in allied professions who work with deaf people.
Links
Channel 4 Mind Magazine
www.channel4.com/health/microsites/H/health/
magazine/mind/index.html
Practical advice and a wide range of features on mental health issues including
depression. Learn what you can do for yourself – and how family and friends
can help.
Books
Depression for Dummies by Charles H Elliott & Laura L
Smith (John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2003)
A friendly guide to understanding and managing depression.
Buy this book
Climbing out of Depression by Sue Atkinson (Lion Publishing
Plc, 1993)
Practical advice and ideas for overcoming depression.
Buy this book
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