The lethargy can be so profound that the sufferer has trouble even getting out of bed, while any interest in previously-enjoyable activities will have gone. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and despair can be so powerful that sufferers of major depression are prone to have suicidal thoughts, or even to attempt suicide. If you, or someone you know, either mentions suicide, thinks about it or attempts it, call the doctor immediately and treat the situation as an emergency. Manic depression A less common form of depression is manic depression, in which the sufferer has dramatic mood swings, from depression to mania. One day they may feel as though their world is about to end, while another day they'll be fantastically, unrealistically optimistic and cheerful.
People suffering from manic depression are often artistic, and express their pain through their art.
Although treatments exist for manic depression, some people find this reduces their artistic creativity. The feeling of gloom that accompanies shorter days, grey skies and a reduced amount of sunlight affects many thousands of people in the UK to a greater or lesser extent, and in fact gets worth with latitude - Scandinavians are particularly prone, while the disorder is virtually unknown near the equator. There is a direct link between lack of sunlight and depression in many people. This can be treated quite easily, usually without the need for anti-depressants or therapy. Having a baby is a major change in anybody's life, but especially for the woman who's carried that baby for months.