The Vicious cycle of depression show how our feelings, thoughts and how we behave can all be connected.
Negative thoughts such as ‘I’m useless. It’s all my fault.’ or ‘Nothing good happens to me’ can affect how you feel. You might be upset, feel down or hopeless, or feel guilty, for example.
These thoughts and feelings can trigger physical symptoms. You might experience:
- poor sleep
- changes to our appetite
- less energy or motivation
- poor concentration
Thoughts and feelings can also start to affect how you behave. This could include:
- stopping your usual activities
- withdrawing from other people
- not taking care of yourself and your home
- spending more money
- drinking or smoking more
This can, in turn, start to make you feel more hopeless and the cycle continues.