Am I the only one?

You might feel like you are the only person who feels like this, but depression is more common than you probably think:

An estimated 1 in 5 of the population of Scotland will experience depression at some point in their lives.
In Scotland, approximately 1 in 10 young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 years are living with depression right now.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that by 2020 depression will be the second biggest cause of illness world-wide.
In 2006-7, over two hundred thousand people in Scotland consulted a doctor for depression and research has shown that as many again showed symptoms of depression but did not seek medical help.

Even though depression is common, some people can be more likely to develop depression than others. People who face a lot of bullying and discrimination because they are seen as ‘different’, who feel rejected, or who grow up in an unsupportive environment can be more likely to become depressed. This can be true of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), and for people with disabilities, for example. While not all LGBT people or all disabled people will develop depression, the combined effects of prejudice and difficulty in being accepted – or accepting their own identity, can lead to depression and mental health problems.

Download the LGBT factsheet by clicking here. We are planning factsheets on various other aspects of depression, including BME mental health and how depression affects people with disabilities. If you’ve got personal experience of either of these then let us know. We will post the factsheets here as soon as they are published.

Being a young adult brings with it particular difficulties as well. Many people will first experience depression in their late teens or early 20s, so the first thing you have to do is recognise that your depression is an illness. It’s not a sign of weakness and while it might be difficult to remember how you felt when you were well, these low feelings are not your personality. There are some pretty stressful things going on in life at this point: forming new relationships with friends, family, lovers or becoming a new parent. Whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or straight it can take time to learn how to develop mature relationships and become confident with your sexuality. Depression and anxiety can affect your self-esteem and your sex drive. Same with parenthood - postnatal depression is more common in teenage parents than it is in older parents.

Many of you will have just left school and be moving into further study or work. You’ll probably be moving around a lot, either into university residences, living with friends or moving into a flat, or you might be about to go travelling. It can be a very exciting time, but it can also be an unsettling one. Maybe you haven’t decided on the next step yet, so it can be difficult to watch people around you get on with their lives while you are feeling stuck.

It’s important that you get help as soon as possible if you are finding it hard to cope. Talk to someone you trust. Or go to the Getting help section for information on what you can do. There are people and organisations ready to help you.

Others Like U

George Michael
Uma Thurman
Jack Dee
Kylie Minogue
Paul Gascoigne
Kelly Holmes
Gail Porter
Katie Price/Jordan
Neil Lennon
Owen Wilson
Kirsten Dunst
J K Rowling
Winona Ryder
Stephen Fry
Russell Grant
Frank Bruno
Ben Stiller
Meg Mathews
Carrie Fisher
Keisha Buchanan
Ben Moody
Jim Carrey
James Dean Bradfield
Trisha Goddard
Linda Hamilton
Bill Oddie
Melinda Messenger
Mel C
Sophie Anderton
Graeme Obree
Tony Slattery
Paul Merton
Robbie Williams
Caroline Aherne
Hugh Laurie
Darnell from Big Brother

All of these people have been reported to have depression at some point in their lives.

Just like you...

Brought to you by Depression Alliance Scotland.
About Us | Can you really say 'crap'? | Funders | Contact Us

Am I the only one?
You might feel like you are the only person who feels like this, but depression is more common than you probably think: An estimated 1 in 5 of the population of Scotland will experience depression at some point in their lives. In Scotland, approximately 1 in 10 young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 years are living with depression right now. The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that by 2020 depression will be the second biggest cause of illness world-wide. In 2006-7, over two hundred thousand people in Scotland consulted a doctor for depression and research has shown that as many again showed symptoms of depression but did not seek medical help. Even though depression is common, some people can be more likely to develop depression than others. People who face a lot of bullying and discrimination because they are seen as ‘different’, who feel rejected, or who grow up in an unsupportive environment can be more likely to become depressed. This can be true of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), and for people with disabilities, for example. While not all LGBT people or all disabled people will develop depression, the combined effects of prejudice and difficulty in being accepted – or accepting their own identity, can lead to depression and mental health problems. Download the LGBT factsheet by clicking here. We are planning factsheets on various other aspects of depression, including BME mental health and how depression affects people with disabilities. If you’ve got personal experience of either of these then let us know. We will post the factsheets here as soon as they are published. Being a young adult brings with it particular difficulties as well. Many people will first experience depression in their late teens or early 20s, so the first thing you have to do is recognise that your depression is an illness. It’s not a sign of weakness and while it might be difficult to remember how you felt when you were well, these low feelings are not your personality. There are some pretty stressful things going on in life at this point: forming new relationships with friends, family, lovers or becoming a new parent. Whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or straight it can take time to learn how to develop mature relationships and become confident with your sexuality. Depression and anxiety can affect your self-esteem and your sex drive. Same with parenthood - postnatal depression is more common in teenage parents than it is in older parents. Many of you will have just left school and be moving into further study or work. You’ll probably be moving around a lot, either into university residences, living with friends or moving into a flat, or you might be about to go travelling. It can be a very exciting time, but it can also be an unsettling one. Maybe you haven’t decided on the next step yet, so it can be difficult to watch people around you get on with their lives while you are feeling stuck. It’s important that you get help as soon as possible if you are finding it hard to cope. Talk to someone you trust. Or go to the Getting help section for information on what you can do. There are people and organisations ready to help you.	Others Like U George Michael Uma Thurman Jack Dee Kylie Minogue Paul Gascoigne Kelly Holmes Gail Porter Katie Price/Jordan Neil Lennon Owen Wilson Kirsten Dunst J K Rowling Winona Ryder Stephen Fry Russell Grant Frank Bruno Ben Stiller Meg Mathews Carrie Fisher Keisha Buchanan Ben Moody Jim Carrey James Dean Bradfield Trisha Goddard Linda Hamilton Bill Oddie Melinda Messenger Mel C Sophie Anderton Graeme Obree Tony Slattery Paul Merton Robbie Williams Caroline Aherne Hugh Laurie Darnell from Big Brother All of these people have been reported to have depression at some point in their lives. Just like you...
Brought to you by Depression Alliance Scotland. About Us \| Can you really say 'crap'? \| Funders \| Contact Us
Copyright: DAS, 2008. Last updated: 17/6/08