The Royal College of Psychiatric (2010) explains that most people with depression will not have the full range of symptoms, but are likely to have five or six of the following: PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS 1. Tiredness and loss of energy 2. Feeling anxious all the time 3. Avoiding other people, sometimes even your close friends 4. Very strong feelings of guilt or worthlessness 5. Sleeping problems 6. Finding it hard to function at work/school 7. Loss of appetite 8. Loss of sex drive and/or sexual problems 9. Physical aches and pains 10. Self-harm MENTAL SYMPTOMS 1. Loss of self-confidence and self-esteem 2. Difficulty concentrating 3. Loss of pleasure and interest 4. Sadness that doesn’t go away 5. Thinking about harming oneself or others and thinking about death 6. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness 7. Being unable to control negative thoughts, no matter how much you try 8. Having disturbing false beliefs or a break with reality (delusions) 9. Hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations) 10. Cycling mood changes from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression). If you experience four or more of these symptoms for most of the day every day for more than two weeks, it is highly recommended that you speak to a counsellor or consult your general practitioner (GP).