Depression - What is it?

The word depression is regularly used to describe many emotions. For most people, being depressed means feeling "sad", "blue", "down" or "upset". We all experience these emotions on occasion and these feelings are generally short-lived with relatively little impact upon normal functioning.

The term "clinical depression" is used to describe an emotional and psychological state that is intense and long lasting. This type of depression has serious effects on a person's daily life and can cause both physical and psychological symptoms. This type of depression is different from the sadness and shock that you may experience following a cancer diagnosis and during treatment, even though this can also be intense and long lasting.

If you think you might be feeling depressed, it is important that you talk with someone you trust.

Click here to view fact sheet on Depression.

• Sleeping - regular, healthy sleeping patterns are essential to improving your mood

  • Get up at the same time every morning regardless of how tired you feel
  • Avoid sleeping during the day or taking naps in the early evening
  • Reduce tea and coffee intake and do not have any tea or coffee after 4pm
  • If you have been lying awake for more than 30 minutes, if can be helpful to go to another room to read or relax on the couch. When you feel sleepy again return to bed to allow yourself to drift back to sleep.