Depression is a condition that takes many forms, from short lived feelings of sadness that most of us suffer in response to the disappointments of everyday life, right up to severe depressive disorders which are physiological in origin and require medical or psychiatric treatment.

Depression is very common among the Irish population - over 300,000 people suffer from it.

The main types of depression are as follows:

Reactive Depression which usually occurs in reaction to events such as a death of a close relative or friend, marriage break up or loss of employment. Typically, the person will feel low, anxious and often angry and irritable.

Endogenous Depression (also known as unipolar) is primarily a biological or inherited condition, traumatic events will often provoke this type of depression. Its symptoms include tiredness, feelings of sadness, anxiety, inability to concentrate, loss of interest, social withdrawal, sleep disturbance, eating disturbance, despair and suicidal thoughts.

Manic Depression (also known as bipolar) symptoms are identical to those of endogenous depression but are alternated with periods of elation or mania, the symptoms of which include increased energy with hyperactivity, over-talkativeness, racing thoughts, grandiose plans with impaired judgment, irritability, overspending, and limited need for sleep.

Depression is usually treated through both psychotherapy and medication.

Aware is a voluntary organisation established to assist those whose lives are directly affected by depression and works to dispel the myths and misunderstandings of this devastating illness. Aware offers nationwide support groups – see its website for details.