Depression & Bipolar Disorder

We often talk of being "depressed" when we feel sad or unhappy, but depression is actually an illness which can be very debilitating. Symptoms can include constantly feeling low, being unable to enjoy anything, difficulty concentrating, problems sleeping and loss of appetite. People who are depressed may self-harm for many reasons, including as a form of self-punishment or as a way of dealing with unbearable feelings.

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is an illness where sufferers experience the lows of depression but also extreme highs - episodes where they feel much more excited, energetic, talkative, impulsive and/or agitated than usual. Depending on severity, these episodes are known as mania or hypomania. People with bipolar disorder may also self-injure during manic episodes as a way of calming themselves down.

If you think you might be depressed, please don't hesitate to talk to your doctor or another professional about it. You might be helped by antidepressant medication as well as by therapy and other forms of support. You can test yourself for the signs of depression here.


More Information

The following booklets produced by the mental health charity Mind provide information on different types of depression and their treatments:

Understanding Depression
Understanding Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
Understanding Postnatal Depression
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder

PsychEducation.org: Mood Swings But Not "Manic"
Information on bipolar II disorder, where sufferers experience depression and hypomania but not more severe mania.


Self-Help for Depression & Bipolar

DepressionCenter.net
An online CBT self-help programme for overcoming depression.

Living Life to the Full
Free online CBT programme.

CBT for Depression
Information on activity scheduling (planning activities which bring you pleasure or a sense of achievement) to overcome depression.

Mood Diary
A mood chart for people suffering from bipolar disorder.

How I Cope with Depression
One sufferer's account of what she does to help herself.


Sources of Support

Depression Alliance
UK-based charity who run a network of self-help groups and a penpal scheme.

MDF The Bipolar Organisation
UK-based help for people with bipolar disorder or manic depression.