Losing It

Worksheet 2: How do you know if someone is depressed?

What do you do if someone close to you starts acting out of character – over-emotional, overly sensitive, weepy, irritable, withdrawn, moody, rude, argumentative, thoughtless, shy or rebellious? Is this serious or is it just a phase they’re going through?

The changes may be associated with alcohol or other drug-taking, which can seriously affect a person’s moods and behaviour. It could also be a normal reaction to something stressful that is happening or has happened in their lives. They might be affected by a divorce or other family crisis, the break-up of a close relationship, exams, a serious illness, or the death of someone close to them. They may just need plenty of support and reassurance to help them through.

However, if it is more serious, it is important to get help early. So what are the signs of clinical depression?

• Feeling miserable for at least a week or two.
• Feeling like crying a lot of the time.
• Not wanting to go anywhere, do anything or see anyone.
• Feeling worse first thing in the morning but somewhat better in the evening.
• Being unable to concentrate or get things done.
• Feeling as if you’re operating in slow motion.
• Having trouble sleeping – waking up after a few hours' sleep and feeling terrible.
• Feeling tired and lacking in energy – unable to get out of bed even after a full night’s sleep.
• A change in appetite and weight (usually reduced but sometimes increased).
• Feeling as if there’s a glass wall between you and the world.
• Feeling hopeless, worthless and guilty.
• Having thoughts about suicide.

If someone experiences several of these things, they may be clinically depressed and should be encouraged to get professional help. Recognising and treating depression as an illness can mean it does not last as long as it otherwise might. It can also reduce the risk of the depression affecting relationships and work or leading to serious illness, alcohol and drug misuse, accidents and suicide.

Key questions to ask:

• Is this behaviour completely out of keeping for this person? Are they behaving very differently – in particular, not interacting?
• How long has it been going on for?
• Are there sudden changes in behaviour?
• How 'driven' or out of control do they seem to be?
• How is their behaviour affecting other people?

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