Mental health is an issue that affects many of us, but women in particular can be vulnerable to it: the most recent figures from the NHS show that one in five women in the UK have reported a mental illness in recent years, compared to one in eight men.

While the symptoms of depression can be complex and vary widely between different people, doctors have said that the most common is that “you feel sad, hopeless, and lose interest in things you used to enjoy”.

Other symptoms include:

Low self-esteem
Feeling tearful
Feeling irritable
Finding it difficult to make decisions
Changes in appetite or weight
Constipation
Low sex drive
Disturbed sleep patterns
Difficulties with concentration

There are many other symptoms of depression and you’re unlikely to experience all of them at once.

Mental health experts advise that you visit your GP if you experience symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than two weeks.

You can find out more information – including a series of approved self-care tips – on the Mind website.

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