A RECENT survey commissioned by mental healthcare specialists Affinity suggested that the credit crunch is having some effect on people's mental wellbeing.
The study revealed that nationally 37 per cent of people questioned admitted that the current financial situation had left them feeling a little more anxious or depressed.
And in our region – Yorkshire and the Humber – that figure was even higher at 46 per cent.
Another issue raised through this survey was variation in how open people are in acknowledging mental health symptoms.
People in the North East are more
likely to admit they have suffered a mental illness (24 per cent) while those in the East of England and the South West are least likely to (11 per cent).
Affinity Healthcare's consultant psychiatrist Dr Ben Green said: "This is an interesting snapshot of the UK's mental health.
"It is clear that the credit crunch is having some effect on people's mental wellbeing, and it is clear that there is variation in how open some people are able to be about their mental health.
"Mental health is often affected by the economic climate and it's understandable that homeowners are more likely to feel more depressed and anxious due to the current economic turbulence. However, with openness and support, symptoms might well resolve."
What are the warning signs?
While most people occasionally feel down, severe depression (sometimes called clinical depression) makes coping with everyday life difficult.
It affects your work, relationships and even the more basic aspects of life, such as appetite and sleep.
It sometimes makes people feel suicidal.
Depression is associated with many symptoms. Common symptoms include:
* Feeling low, sad or miserable
* Persistent tearfulness
* Not enjoying or getting pleasure from life
* Loss of interest in life, even in favourite hobbies or sports
* Sleep disturbance – most typical is waking unusually early and not being able to get back to sleep, or roaming around all night and day unable to sleep at all, or never getting out of bed
* Appetite disturbance – either increased or decreased, including either weight gain or weight loss
* Feeling useless, hopeless or helpless
* Tiredness and fatigue
* Low self-esteem/confidence
* Feeling anxious, agitated or tetchy
* Extreme placidity, which may go as far as physical slowing down
* Poor libido
* Over-sensitivity
* Poor concentration, memory and motivation
* Constant physical problems with no return to feeling well despite treatment
* Suicidal thoughts and ideas.
Can it be prevented?
Although it's often not possible to prevent depression, many people find an understanding of their disease and its possible triggers can help to keep their depression at bay.
