Everyone feels low from time to time, but…

• if you carry on feeling this way
• if you run out of energy
• if you lose interest in things and people
• if you can't pull yourself out of these feelings,

you may be depressed.

'Depression' can be very serious, but it can almost always be helped and improved - almost everyone gets back to feeling better if they are able to find help, and give themselves time.

If you are depressed it will definitely be helpful to talk to someone you feel comfortable with, and someone you can trust, because it can be very difficult to pull yourself out of feeling very low. If you carry on feeling depressed for a long time, you may begin to lose energy and confidence, and you may not be bothered about doing things or making contact with people. Because of this, it may help to talk to your GP, or to ask someone to visit your GP with you.

There are different causes of depression, and there are also different ways of dealing with it. With help, you can look at some of the things which are making you feel low. It may take some time to work out what is making you feel this way, but if you are able to do this you'll be in a much better position to find the right ways of helping you feel more positive about life.

• Manic depression
• Mental health
• Emotions
• Stress

For more detailed information about depression try:

• The Depression Alliance
• Information from the Royal Society of Psychologists website
• About Depression from the MIND website
• About depression from SANE
• The Samaritans
  

For other sources of help:

• LampDirect
• Samaritans