The whole world was shocked by the demise of Robin Williams. Not only because he passed away but primarily because not many knew that throughout his lifetime he was battling depression. And this is not a surprise because many people who suffer from mental health problems keep this a secret fearing the stigma that mental illness carries with it.

Feeling depressed lately? You are not alone. The events of our daily lives cause stress, anxiety and hopelessness from time to time.

Is there a difference between feeling depressed and actually suffering from clinical depression? What is the matter with a little stress or anxiety? What is the difference between the two and what is depression anyway?

Stress, on the one hand, is the body’s natural response to demanding situations. In stressful situations, our bodies release adrenaline that allows our bodies to run at heightened alertness, making decisions quickly and pumping out more energy. Most of the time, stress is a good thing for our mental health – it keeps us sharp. Still, we can have too much of a good thing when it comes to mental health. Overexposure to situations that cause stress forces our bodies to run on ‘overdrive’, constantly pumping adrenaline and causing our hearts to work harder than is healthy. This overwork can cause symptoms of depression.

And what about anxiety?

When we think of ‘mental illness’, we usually think of bipolar disorder, serious depression or schizophrenia. However, major anxiety, too, is part of mental illness.

Anxiety is a force in which stressful situations breed fear rather than adrenaline. Stress drives us to complete tasks; anxiety drives us to walk away from those tasks. Both anxiety and extensive stress are symptoms of depression.

Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. We all go through spells of feeling down but when you are depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.

Most people experience feelings of stress, sadness or anxiety during difficult times. A low mood may improve after a short time, rather than being a sign of depression. Depression can come on gradually, so it can be difficult to notice that something is wrong.

Many people continue to try to cope with their symptoms without realising they are ill. It can take a friend or a family member to suggest something is wrong.

Some people still think that depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They are wrong. Depression is a real illness with real symptoms and it’s not a sign of weakness or something you can ‘snap out of’ by ‘pulling yourself together’. The good news is that, with the right treatment and support, most people can make a full recovery.

Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. They range from lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful.

Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety. There can be physical symptoms too such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive and complaining of various aches and pains. The severity of the symptoms can vary.

If you think you or someone you know may be depressed, whatever the extent, it is important to seek help from the family doctor. Many people wait a long time before seeking help for depression but it is best not to delay. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery. The good news is that the stigma associated with depression has decreased over the years. There still is an element of this but people are now more aware and understanding of depression and its possible causes.

There is no good health without good mental health

Treatment of depression involves either medication or talking therapies or, usually, a combination of the two. The kind of treatment that your doctor recommends will be based on the type of depression you have. Yet, many people with depression benefit also by making lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, cutting down on alcohol and eating healthier foods.

Self-help measures such as reading a self-help book or joining a support group are also beneficial.

Understand that the support from those closest to you is vital; without their help it will be a longer and far harder journey than you need or want. So if it is either you, a family member or a friend of yours that could be going through what you think is depression, be aware that seeking help is a good start in the right direction.

The Richmond Foundation is an NGO working in the community to promote mental health and well-being and we are here to help. We run a family support group for family members of persons suffering from mental health problems once a month and also a self-help group that meets every month both in Malta and Gozo.

For more information contact Richmond Foundation on 2144 0324, via e-mail at info@richmond.org.mt or through www.richmond.org.mt.

Always remember: there is no good health without good mental health.

Antoinette Shah is CEO at Richmond Foundation.