We all go through periods of unhappiness, low mood, sadness, tears, sleep disturbances, lack of energy, loss of interest in things we enjoy, etc., often referred to as depression. It can occur in a number of ways and it may last for weeks or months.
It is a common experience, but it can be very painful and even life-threatening for those of us who suffer enough to think of taking our lives. This is especially true of losses and experiences that make us feel hopeless, humiliated, defeated, embarrassed, or trapped.
Sometimes it is difficult, but we feel trapped in a cycle of despair and lethargy. Some of us experience periods of feeling depressed, elated, and energetic, while others are often agitated, restless, and have trouble sleeping. This experience is sometimes called “bipolar.”
In terms of help, different things help different people. Practical things like self-care such as exercise, eating healthy and getting enough sleep are often the focus. Connecting with others, including those with similar experiences, either informally or in organized peer support groups, can be of great help. Therapy and counseling can help us understand what triggers our feelings of depression and what keeps them going. Depression and loneliness often go hand in hand, so finding ways to connect or reconnect with friends, family and community can be important.
If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, or may pose a danger to yourself or others, call 999, local emergency services and seek urgent help.
If you think you’re depressed then you probably are. Go and see your GP. If you don’t know whether you’re depressed then follow this link to the NHS’s advice about the tell-tale signs and how to treat it. Tell your GP what’s happened to you. They may well be able to prescribe some medication to help you cope until it’s blown over: treatment of short-term anxiety, sleeplessness and depression is simple, it’s effective and it may well prevent you from harming yourself and feeling overwhelmed by the injustice of what you’re going through.
Unless you give your doctor reason to believe that you have committed a criminal offence, they must not volunteer information you tell them. You should be aware however that in a case as serious as this, your medical notes are potentially disclosable to the police investigation if they can make a case that it is in the public interest to do so.
