The National Instutite for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) defines depression as :

“A loss of interest and enjoyment in ordinary things and experiences, having low mood and a range of associated emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioural symptoms”

Indicators of depression include:

• Effects on emotions e.g sadness, guilt, anger mood swings, hopelessness
• Effects on thinking e.g frequent self criticism, self blame, worry, pessimism, impaired memory and concentration
• Effects on behaviour e.g crying spells, withdrawal from others, neglect of responsibilities
• Physical effects e.g chronic fatigue, lack of energy, sleeping too much or too little, overeating or loss of appetite