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This page covers the definitions of depression, as well as the support and resources available to you.
What is depression?
Depression is a common mental health issue where you may feel low due to personal life stresses, including bereavement, financial, housing or relationship difficulties, losing a job or having trouble at work or university. In its mildest form, depression does not stop us from leading a normal life.
However, long periods of low mood and moderate to severe depression can be extremely distressing and have a very significant impact on your quality of life. In some cases, severe depression can trigger thoughts of death and suicide.
Common signs or symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Tiredness and lack of energy, or restlessness.
- Difficulty falling asleep at night or waking up early in the morning.
- Changes in weight, appetite and eating.
- Low self-esteem and confidence.
- Lasting feelings of sadness, guilt, numbness or hopelessness.
- Feeling alone even when in company.
- Thoughts of suicide.
During your time at university, you may find that you don't enjoy socialising and hobbies like you used to. You may withdraw from friends and family, and taking care of yourself becomes increasingly difficult. Maybe you are not turning up to lectures, frequently missing assessment deadlines and not answering your emails. If you feel depressed, you may feel negative towards yourself, the world and about the future. With the right treatment and support, people can manage living with depression.
Support at UCL
UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services are here for you. We encourage you to get in touch and access our wide range of support. Please see here for the support we can provide.
External support
- Mind
The UK's mental health charity, Mind provides a wide range of resources and guidance for those experiencing stress, anxiety, depression or related conditions.
- NHS
Comprehensive guidance and signposting from the NHS on depression.
Visit the NHS page on low mood, sadness and depression.- Students Against Depression
Students Against Depression provides you with a calm environment and the resources to help you find a way forward - a website offering advice, information and guidance to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking.
Resources
Books on depression
'Overcoming Depersonalization and Feelings of Unreality: A Self-help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques', by Anthony David
Description: "Depersonalization Disorder is when a person experiences a feeling of being detached from life around them and sometimes emotionally numb. It is often a symptom of another disorder such as anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and particularly panic disorder, or of an illness like epilepsy or migraine, but also occurs in its own right and among users of certain drugs."
Read 'Overcoming Depersonalization and Feelings of Unreality'.
'Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think' (Second Edition), by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky
Description: "Discover simple yet powerful steps you can take to overcome emotional distress - and feel happier, calmer, and more confident. This life-changing book has already helped more than 1,100,000 readers use cognitive-behavioral therapy - one of today's most effective forms of psychotherapy - to conquer depression, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, guilt, shame, low self-esteem, eating disorders, substance abuse, and relationship problems."