As the economic outlook becomes gloomier and gloomier and the credit crunch bites even harder, experts at the Priory Group are warning that they are seeing an increasing number of patients suffering from the symptoms of 'recession depression'.
People facing unemployment, mounting debts and losing their homes can be overwhelmed by negative feelings and this can manifest itself in a serious depressive episode. This is very different to the normal, brief periods of feeling down that everyone suffers occasionally in response to circumstances in their day-to-day lives.
Dr Jeremy Broadhead, Medical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist at The Priory Hayes Grove, identifies a number of symptoms to look out for which indicate a depressive episode.
- Low mood for most of the day, nearly every day. Things always seem 'black'.
- Loss of enjoyment and interest in life, even for activities that you normally enjoy.
- Abnormal sadness, often with weepiness.
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or uselessness.
- Poor motivation. Even simple tasks seem difficult.
- Poor concentration. It may be difficult to read, work, etc.
- Sleeping problems.
- Lacking in energy and extreme feelings of tiredness.
- Difficulty with affection, including going off sex.
- Poor appetite and weight loss or the reverse with comfort eating.
- Irritability, agitation, or restlessness.
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, palpitations, chest pains.
- Recurrent thoughts of death.
Dr Broadhead said: "The current financial crisis is almost certainly having a significant impact on mental health, particularly the issues of unemployment and debt. Money worries don't just keep people awake at night; they can cause stress, depression and in more extreme cases self harm and suicidal thoughts. At a time when people across the country are anxious about their jobs and their finances, recession-depression is a real and growing concern.
"Depression can be a disabling and potentially serious condition but it can be treated through medication and therapy. Psychological treatments for depression are many and varied. They range from the emotional support provided by the regular opportunity to talk about feelings to a professional, right through to specialised forms of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy.
"At a time when depression is striking more and more people it is important that the medical profession acts quickly to identify and treat the illness, allowing the sufferer to regain the positivity in their lives and tackle the issues which caused the problems initially."
Priory Group
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