Causes: Depression may be caused by stressful events in your life, such as divorce, illness or bereavement. Drinking too much alcohol or using non-prescription drugs can also trigger depression, as can a genetic predisposition to it, or sudden changes in hormone levels. Sometimes there is no obvious cause.

Effect: If you are depressed you will have a persistent low mood that is not lifted by doing the things you used to enjoy. You may feel hopeless, helpless, tearful and irritable, and anxious about the future. You may lose or gain weight, suffer from aches and pains, and lose interest in sex. Some people with depression find it impossible to make decisions, and may even harm themselves or contemplate suicide.

Solutions: It is important to see your doctor if you think you are depressed, as some people need antidepressant medications to help them recover. However, depression is a common problem and there are lots of things you can do to help yourself:

Talk about your feelings to someone else.

Exercise regularly. It releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals in your brain.

Eat a varied, healthy diet to make sure you get enough nutrients.

Self-help books.

Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Interpersonal therapy.

Counselling.