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The Association of Mental Health Providers’ evidence observatory
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35,847 claims
Different causes of depression often combine to trigger the condition.
Different causes can often combine to trigger depression.
Context · Observational claim · From Causes - Depression in adults, [page]
Depression can be triggered by various life events such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries.
For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause.
Context · Observational claim · From Causes - Depression in adults, [page]
Early intervention for depression can lead to quicker recovery.
Many people wait a long time before seeking help for depression, but it's best not to delay. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery.
Service · Commitment statement · From Overview - Depression in adults, [page]
It is important to seek help from a GP if you think you may be depressed.
It's important to seek help from a GP if you think you may be depressed.
Service · Procedural statement · From Overview - Depression in adults, [page]
Reading self-help books or joining support groups can provide understanding and support for people with depression.
They can help you gain a better understanding about what causes you to feel depressed. Sharing your experiences with others in a similar situation can also be very supportive.
Service · Policy statement · From Overview - Depression in adults, [page]
Making lifestyle changes can help manage depression, such as exercise, cutting down on alcohol, and eating healthily.
Many people with depression benefit by making lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise, cutting down on alcohol, giving up smoking and eating healthily.
Service · Policy statement · From Overview - Depression in adults, [page]
Moderate to severe depression often requires a combination of talking therapy and antidepressants.
For moderate to severe depression, a combination of talking therapy and antidepressants is often recommended. If you have severe depression, you may be referred to a specialist mental health team for intensive specialist talking treatments and prescribed medicine.
Service · Procedural statement · From Overview - Depression in adults, [page]
For mild depression, doctors may suggest watchful waiting or lifestyle measures like exercise and guided self-help.
If you have mild depression, your doctor may suggest waiting to see whether it improves on its own, while monitoring your progress. This is known as 'watchful waiting'. They may also suggest lifestyle measures such as exercise and guided self-help.
Service · Procedural statement · From Overview - Depression in adults, [page]
Treatment for depression often includes lifestyle changes, talking therapies, and medication.
Treatment for depression usually involves a combination of lifestyle changes, talking therapies and medicines.
Service · Policy statement · From Overview - Depression in adults, [page]
Depression is not a sign of weakness and requires proper treatment.
Some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They're wrong – it is a real illness with real symptoms. Depression is not a sign of weakness or something you can 'snap out of' by 'pulling yourself together'.
Context · Observational claim · From Overview - Depression in adults, [page]
Depression can cause persistent feelings of sadness lasting weeks or months.
Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you're depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.
Context · Observational claim · From Overview - Depression in adults, [page]
Reading self-help books or joining support groups can provide additional benefits for those with depression.
Reading a self-help book or joining a support group are also worthwhile. They can help you gain a better understanding about what causes you to feel depressed.
Service · Policy statement · From Depression in adults, [page]
Lifestyle changes such as exercise, reducing alcohol intake and eating healthily can help manage depression.
Many people with depression benefit by making lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise, cutting down on alcohol, giving up smoking and eating healthily.
Service · Policy statement · From Depression in adults, [page]
People with mild depression may be advised to wait and see if symptoms improve on their own while monitoring progress.
If you have mild depression, your doctor may suggest waiting to see whether it improves on its own, while monitoring your progress. This is known as 'watchful waiting'.
Service · Policy statement · From Depression in adults, [page]
For moderate to severe depression, a combination of talking therapy and antidepressants is often recommended.
For moderate to severe depression, a combination of talking therapy and antidepressants is often recommended.
Service · Policy statement · From Depression in adults, [page]
Treatment for depression may include lifestyle changes, talking therapies and medication based on the severity of symptoms.
Treatment for depression can involve a combination of lifestyle changes, talking therapies and medicine. Your recommended treatment will be based on how severe your depression is.
Service · Policy statement · From Depression in adults, [page]
Depression can cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, poor sleep quality and loss of appetite.
There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and various aches and pains.
Service · Observational claim · From Depression in adults, [page]
Symptoms of depression include persistent unhappiness, hopelessness, low self-esteem and loss of interest in activities.
Symptoms of depression include feeling unhappy or hopeless, low self-esteem and finding no pleasure in things you usually enjoy.
Service · Observational claim · From Depression in adults, [page]
Support groups like Mind and Anxiety Care UK provide information and advice on managing anxiety and phobias.
Charities like Mind and Anxiety Care UK are useful resources for information and advice about how to manage anxiety and phobias. They can also put you in touch with other people who've had similar experiences.
Service · Stakeholder position · From Treatment - Agoraphobia, [page]
Pregabalin may be prescribed if SSRIs or SNRIs are not suitable.
If you're unable to take SSRIs or SNRIs for medical reasons or you experience troublesome side effects, another medicine called pregabalin may be recommended. Dizziness and drowsiness are common side effects of pregabalin.
Service · Procedural statement · From Treatment - Agoraphobia, [page]