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If you've ever suffered with depression, or know anyone who has, you'll know that it can affect pretty much every aspect of your life.

From the way you carry yourself, to the way you interact with others, mental illness can make its presence known in just about everything you do.

It's a condition that affects everyone differently, however, there are certain signs and behaviours that may indicate someone is suffering.

A study, published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, found that people with depression speak in a different way.

After analysing large amounts of text from diaries, personal essays and speech, researchers concluded that the use of particular words and speech patterns signalled the presence of the mental illness.

As well using an excessive amount of words conveying negative emotion, such as “sad” or “miserable”, those suffering with symptoms of depression will use more first person pronouns, such as “me” or “I”, than someone who is not.

What's more, the research showed a higher occurrence of “all or nothing” vocabulary, such as “always”, “nothing” or “completely”.

Dr Al-Mosaiwi, lead author of the study, warned that it's "possible to use language associated with depression without actually being depressed," adding: "Ultimately, it is how you feel over time that determines whether you are suffering."

  • Feeling sad, anxious, guilty, hopeless

  • Feeling tired or fatigued

  • Under or over-sleeping, waking frequently

  • Poor concentration, thinking slowed down

  • Loss of interest in hobbies, family or social life, things that normally give you pleasure

  • Low self-esteem

  • Loss of interest in living, suicidal thoughts

If you feel this way, it's important to talk to somebody you trust, or seek professional help. Visit the following links for more information: 

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Kristen Bell has always been open about her struggle with mental health. 

Having previously spoken publicly about the depression she suffered as a teenager and the ongoing battles that followed, the actress is determined to break the stigma that surrounds the issue. 

In a new video for the Child Mind Institute, the 37-year-old shared the advice she would have given to her younger self. 

“What I would say to my younger self is don’t be fooled by this game of perfection that humans play,” she said. 

“Because Instagram and magazines and TV shows, they strive for a certain aesthetic, everything looks so beautiful, and people seem like they don’t have problems, but everyone’s human.”

She went on to stress the importance of self-love and care, even when we are at our lowest points. 

“You deserve to feel just as beautiful on the days you wear no makeup, and the days you don’t shower, and the days you feel like you’re depressed,” she said. 

“You have an obligation to take care of yourself from the inside out, because that’s how you can truly feel beautiful.”

Urging those suffering with mental health issues to seek help, Kristen assured viewers that they are never alone. 

“There are resources out there, if you’re feeling anxious, of people to talk to and doctors to interact with and there are tons of solutions out there for you,” she said. 

“You are not alone. Never feel embarrassed or ashamed about who you are.

“Never feel embarrassed or ashamed about the uniqueness that is you, because there are people out there to help and we’re all just human, and you can do it.”

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Now more than ever, people are starting to realise that none is immune to mental health issues. In fact, figures from Mental Health Ireland indicate that one in four of us is likely to experience poor mental during our lifetime, ranging from general everyday worries or low periods in your life, to more serious long-term conditions. 

Poor mental health can manifest in a variety of ways, be that anxiety, depression, bipolar, eating disorders, or a combination of one or more of the above, and the response to such conditions can differ from person to person. 

It is that broad spectrum of symptoms, signs, and often unpredictable reactions, that make it such a difficult illness to understand, and now sufferers have taken to Twitter to share the things they wish people knew about mental health

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In an uplifting lecture delivered by renowned physicist Stephen Hawking this week, the esteemed academic reassured those suffering from mental illness that even in the darkest time, there always exists hope.

Drawing a comparison between black holes and depression, the 76-year-old explained that ongoing research into the former established that they aren't the self-contained entities they were once thought to be.

"The message of this lecture is that black holes ain't as black as they are painted. They are not the eternal prisons they were once thought," Mr Hawking informed his audience at the Royal Institute in London.

Using this fact as a platform from which to encourage those suffering from mental health issues, Mr Hawking urged his audience to display perseverance in the face of adversity.

"Things can get out of a black hole both on the outside and possibly to another universe. So if you feel you are in a black hole, don't give up – there's a way out," he said.

The scholar chose to reflect on his own struggles over the course of the last five decades, and highlighted the importance of a positive attitude, even at the most despairing of times.

"It's important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life may seem because you can lose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and life in general."

Adding: "Although it was unfortunate to get motor neurone disease, I have been very fortunate in almost everything else. I have been lucky to work in theoretical physics at a fascinating time and it' s one of the few areas in which my disability was not a serious handicap."

Mr Hawking, who is considered one of the greatest minds of our time, was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 1963.

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It's no secret that a poor night's sleep can leave us feeling tired and underprepared for the day ahead, but when those feelings start to become a constant strain on our mental health, it's probably time to start prioritising a consistent sleeping routine.

New research has found that people who sleep less than eight hours a night are far more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, due to their inability to disengage with negative thoughts and emotions.

The study, published in the Journal of Behaviour Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, analysed 52 adults with “repeated negative thinking” (RNT).

Participants were asked about their sleeping patterns and their eye movements were monitored as they viewed a number of images.

For the purpose of the study, some images were designed to trigger an emotional response, while others were intended to produce a neutral response.

According to Science Daily, results showed that participants who reported getting a insufficient amount of sleep (eight hours or less), spent more time looking at the negative images, meaning they were unable to remove themselves from the negative thoughts that came along with them.

“We found that people in this study have some tendencies to have thoughts get stuck in their heads, and their elevated negative thinking makes it difficult for them to disengage with the negative stimuli that we exposed them to,” said study author Professor Meredith Coles from Binghamton University.

“We realised over time that this might be important – this repetitive negative thinking is relevant to several different disorders like anxiety, depression and many other things.”

Researchers now intend to carry out further studies in the hopes that one day, psychologists may be able to treat anxiety and depression by helping the patient create a better sleeping routine.

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Áine Marry is about to graduate from the degree in Painting and Visual Culture from NCAD, and her final exhibition showcases a struggle that many of us are familiar with, but have never been able to externalise.

Áine uses her artistic talents to personify the experience of having mental health issues, most prominently, depression and anxiety. 

Her exhibition pieces at first glance seem to be bright, cheerful depictions of a yellow-haired cartoon version of Aine, but on closer inspection, the work explores the inner dialogue between the person and the disorder. 

 

A post shared by Áine Marry (@ainemarryart) on

Like all the best ideas, the inspiration to begin creating these characters came naturally, from Áine's own experiences with metal health issues, which she feels began around the age of 10 with anxiety.  

'They started off as drawings. I had a notebook and it was just a Saturday one day where I hadn't showered and I just literally drew this avatar in a t-shirt and shorts saying 'oh I should probably shower' and I drew another one of this little person in a bed and all of these thoughts about anxiety,' she recalled.

'Once I started posting them to my personal Instagram, people liked it.'

She then brought her paintings in to her tutor at NCAD, who saw the massive potential for development in Áine's concept.

 

A post shared by Áine Marry (@ainemarryart) on

'Then the characters of depression and anxiety, I created them and they started to have a lot more too them, I could put them in different scenarios, like the Tinder profile, I wanted to put them into modern day situations because we live in tis modern social media age.' 

Áine's characters live in the digital age, as does her actual art, with an Instagram dedicated to her project which has over 1567 followers to date who follow her process.

Seeing the lives of others through a digitally altered snapshot has become the norm, and while Áine's art Instagram helps others by sharing her relatable work, she feels that the online world can contribute negatively to those who are struggling. 

'Before I had my art one [Instagram], I had my personal one, and sometimes you put something up when you don't feel that great, and you feel like you need this response of likes to make you feel better about yourself, like you're worth something, so it can be definitely dangerous.'

 

A post shared by Áine Marry (@ainemarryart) on

'But, it can be helpful,' she said, referencing the more personal pieces of art she has uploaded on her page that she has been wary about sharing.

'They are the ones I get the most response from. I get messages saying 'thank you so much' and it's so worth it then.' 

Despite the improving societal attitude sto mental health, Áine still feels there is a way to go when it comes to removing shame from the label

'I still feel stigmatised and I would still squirm while talking about it with maybe family and friends.'

'It hasn't been talked about in so long, and now the conversation has finally been opened and it's stigmatised to a certain extent.'

 

A post shared by Áine Marry (@ainemarryart) on

As a society, the English language has adopted and borrowed terms such as 'depressed,' acting 'bipolar' and 'panic attack ' from the mental health conversation. 

This casual use of the terminology, while harmless for the most part, can contribute to the dismissive nature held by some over the struggle of those with the actual disorders.

You know like when you say a word so many times it loses all meaning? It's called semantic satiation and it's a thing, I promise.

'There are people who can't get out of bed for three weeks because they genuinely can't live, where as you have people who are just tired and they're like 'I'm depressed, and that's not to take a way from anyone like you're not allowed to feel that way, but there is definitely people taking advantage of it,' she said, drawing on examples of celebrities using the terms to seem more relatable. 

 

A post shared by Áine Marry (@ainemarryart) on

If the term 'I'm depressed' now stands for 'I'm sad,' then how does one with an actual mental health problem describe their symptoms to the wider world without feeling it has been minimised?

Áine's own struggles began when she was a child, but got worse when she transitioned into college life, leading to her seeking help. 

'As a young girl it's really easy to start hating yourself visually, I just feel like that's the day and age we live in it's very easy, something can just click in your head where you're like 'I don't look okay,'' she said, reflecting on her relationship with her mental health in her childhood.  

'I let myself get really really bad in college, I didn't know if I wanted to be here,' she said. 

'You have the core problem but then you have all these other issues that stem from it, so it's been an ongoing thing, but recognising it in college, opening up and talking about it, and being like 'it is what it is' has really helped.' 

 Áine's exhibition, along with her fellow graduate's work, will be on display on NCAD's campus this weekend. 

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Earlier this week, Katelyn Marie Todd shared a post on Facebook in which she spoke candidly about her experience with depression, in an effort to break down the stigma and shed a light on the reality of the mental illness.

The vulnerable post included a picture of Katelyn as she brushed her hair –  a simple act most of us wouldn't think twice about, but for someone who suffers with depression, even the most mundane daily tasks can become huge barriers. 

She wrote, ‘’I brushed my hair today. For the first time in 4 weeks.’’

‘’It was matted and twisted together. It snapped and tore with every stroke. I cried while I washed and conditioned it, because I forgot how it felt to run my fingers through it.’’

‘’When I got out of the shower, I couldn't stop sniffing my hair and arms. I've avoided hugging people for a while, because I never smell good.’’

‘’I always smell like I've been on bed rest for a week. I have no clean clothes, because I'm too tired and sad to wash them.’’

Recently, TV series like 13 Reasons Why have been criticised by some for ‘romanticising’ mental illness. Katelyn’s post makes the point that depression isn’t always what it’s portrayed to be by the media.

It’s messy, it’s lonely and above all else it’s ‘‘an emptiness you can physically feel.’’

‘’Depression isn't beautiful. Depression is bad hygiene, dirty dishes, and a sore body from sleeping too much. Depression is having 3 friends that are only still around because they have the patience and love of a saint.’’

‘’Depression is crying until there's no more tears, just dry heaving and sobbing until you're gasping for your next breath. Depression is staring at the ceiling until your eyes burn because you forget to blink.’’

Katelyn finished the raw and honest post by asking others to be easy on family and friends that might be going through a tough time. Be patient, and always take someone seriously if they confide in you.

‘’We're trying. I swear we're trying. See? I brushed my hair today.’’

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Hugely popular TV and radio presenter, Fearne Cotton, made the decision to discuss her depression diagnosis in her new book Happy, and in a recent column for Glamour magazine she offered an insight into the motivation behind it.

"The book Happy was born from a huge personal shift in perspective and pivotal point in my life," the mother-of-two began.

 

And as if by magic she was back to her natural state #getyapjsout

A photo posted by Fearne (@fearnecotton) on

In words which are bound to resonate with millions, she continued: "I used to believe that life worked in a certain way and that particular moments should be reached or achieved, and along with that would come happiness."

Fearne reveals that this particular approach was thrown into freefall when she was diagnosed with depression, continuing: "Although excruciating, this explosive yet short period of my life lead me to soul search in new ways I hadn't before."
 

The presenter, who first hit our screens way back in 1996, is eager to remind the public that depression does not discriminate.

"There might be assumptions made that if you are on TV or have experienced a certain journey in life then you should be immune to depression or sorrow."

Fearne chose to use her book to share the techniques which help her to navigate the condition – something which she also touched on in the recent column.

 

Last in the series on in just over an hour! @itv2

A photo posted by Fearne (@fearnecotton) on

"Simple pleasures like being with my family, getting out in the fresh air, eating healthy food and music are all small things that impact my happiness daily," she wrote.

"For me it's all about those small steps in the right direction rather than huge leaps where there are no guarantees."

Reflecting on Happy, which is set for release in February 2017, Fearne added: "It's an honest book which I hope brings solace to others knowing they're not alone and also includes practical exercises to help tap up that happiness daily."

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Al Porter has spoken publicly about his struggle with depression for the first time.

Appearing on Brendan O’Connor’s The Cutting Edge last night, the Dublin based comedian revealed that despite his confidence, he does suffer with mental health issues. 

He also documented and challenged the stigma which currently surrounds taking anti-depressants in Ireland, using his own experience as a powerful example.

The 23-year-old began: “I’m going to tell you something now that I didn’t even tell my mam until two hours ago, when I rang her because I knew I was going to say it to you.”

Explaining his journey towards medication, Al recounted how a friend suggested that the reason behind his inability to enjoy his experiences and success may be down to a physical “imbalance” rather than an issue founded in circumstance.

“I went to a doctor, I wouldn’t even go to my own family doctor, I was too afraid.  So I went to a doctor in Carlow,” he confessed.  “He said ‘look, you need anti-depressants and I never thought that I would be that person.  Nobody in my family would think that I would be that person.”

“I’ve been hiding them in my house,” he continued.  “I have had my friend pick them up because I didn’t want to go in with the prescription.  I’ve had the prescription written to different names than my own.”

“That stigma, I never really thought it was real.  I heard people…talk about it and I’m kind of going ‘I can’t really get where you’re coming from’”.

“And then I suddenly realise, someone that’s as confident as me who tells people every detail of their life, I couldn’t just admit, yeah, that I need those pills.  They’re going to keep me balanced.”

“If I can’t cope with that, Jesus knows how somebody who doesn’t have the confidence that I have does.  [Someone] who’s in their bed for three weeks and is going, ‘Who am I going to ring to pick them up for me?’”.

Al has been widely praised online for sharing his story so candidly.

This morning, he took to Twitter to thank his followers for their support.

 

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Actor and rapper Kid Cudi has checked himself in a rehab facility for depression and suicidal thoughts. 

The How To Make It In America star posted a heart wrenching message on his public Facebook page earlier this week. 

He told his 10 million fans that he has been battling depression throughout his entire career, but finally reached breaking point. 

"I am not at peace. I haven't been since you've known me. If I didn't come here, I wouldve done something to myself. I simply am a damaged human swimming in a pool of emotions everyday of my life."

He talks of his battle with depression, and how it has ruled his life for so many years: "I dont trust anyone because of it and Im tired of being held back in my life. I deserve to have peace. I deserve to be happy and smiling."

Cudi admits that he is nervous about entering rehab, and facing his depression head-on. 

The rapper also reassures his fans that despite the battle he faces, there will be more music from him. 

"The album is still on the way. Promise. I wanted to square away all the business before I got here so I could focus on my recovery."

We wish Kid Cudi the best of luck through his recovery! 

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A newly published study from the University of Copenhagen has found that women who take the contraceptive pill are more likely to suffer from depression.

After studying the health records of more than one million Danish women aged 15 to 34, researchers found that those taking the combined pill – which contains artificial varieties of oestrogen and progesterone – were 23 percent more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant than those who were not on a hormonal form of contraceptive.

Scarily, that figure rose to 34 percent for takers of progestin-only pills and up to 80 percent for teens aged between 15 and 19 who were on the combined pill.

Researcher Professor Øjvind Lidegaard told the BBC that the three year study’s most significant finding was the extent to which cases of depression increased among young women with no previous mental health issues once they began taking the combined pill.

He said: “If it is increasing by 80 percent it is not a trivial finding, it's something women should be fully informed about.”

While critics of the study have been quick to point out that the results do not prove that the pill causes depression, only that it is link to it, Professor Lidegaard believes hormonal contraceptives are inducing depression.

“We cannot see any other explanation,” he said.

The study – which is one of the largest of its kind – also found an association between depression and other forms of hormonal contraceptives like implants, the coil and vaginal rings.

A 2014 study by Bayer found that Ireland has one of the lowest rates of contraceptive use in the EU, while births to teenage mothers here remain among the highest.

Among those using contraception, the pill was found to be the most popular method of choice.

Feat image: iStock

Centre image: Shutterstock

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Kid Cudi has checked himself into rehab for depression and suicidal thoughts. 

Speaking to TMZ, the rapper explained that he hasn't felt "at peace" in years and was spiralling down a dark hole.

He said: "I would've done something to myself. I simply am a damaged human swimming in a pool of emotions everyday of my life."

"I really am sorry. I'll be back, stronger, better. Reborn. I feel like shit, I feel so ashamed. I'm sorry," he added.

Kid recently hit out at his mentors, Kanye West and Drake for not working with him on his new music.

We're glad he's getting the help that he needs.

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