Healthy lifestyle interventions in general practice: Part 12: Lifestyle and depression

Abstract

This article forms part 12 of the series on the role of lifestyle modification in general practice with specific reference to patients living with depression. “Depression” is a term often used to describe an entire spectrum of mental health problems, ranging from dysphoria of mood (feeling down), to a clinical disorder such as a major depressive disorder (MDD). MDD is characterised by periods of depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure that lasts at least two weeks. These symptoms are accompanied by a number of somatic symptoms (changes in sleep, libido, energy and vigour, appetite and psychomotor function, etc) as well as cognitive symptoms (feelings of worthlessness, concentration or decision making difficulty, poor concentration and suicidal thoughts) that cause clinically significant distress or impairment of everyday functionality.