Glenn Close says depression feels like a ‘mist’ over her life

This Morning: Dr Chris reveals symptoms of his depression

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“On my mom’s side, there was a lot of depression,” Glenn Close revealed. “I did know that her half brother had committed suicide and that her own mother was depressed.” Close has also been diagnosed with depression following “a series of tests”.

The award-winning actress “would not label [herself] as a depressed person”.

“But I think what I’ve lived with, probably a good portion of my life, is a low-grade depression,” she admitted to People in May, 2021.

Describing depression as a “mist or veil” that falls over her, Close said she’s “gotten so used to living with it”.

“It’s not something you think of much,” she added. “I take a daily dose of anti- depressants, not a huge dose, and it helps.”

In 2010 Glenn co-founded Bring Change To Mind, a non-profit with a mission to raise awareness and end the stigma and silence surrounding mental illness.

Grades of depression

The Mental Health Foundation notes that “mild depression can make you feel low and as though everything is harder to do”.

Severe depression, on the other hand, “can lead to feeling hopeless and, in some cases, suicidal”.

In England, three in every 100 people will experience depression in any given week.

Depression can lead you to feel:

  • Sad, upset or tearful
  • Guilty or worthless
  • Restless or irritable
  • Empty and numb
  • Lacking in self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Unable to enjoy things that usually bring you pleasure
  • Helpless or hopeless
  • Anxious or worried
  • Suicidal or want to hurt yourself.

Physical symptoms of depression can include:

  • Tiredness and lack of energy
  • Moving or speaking more slowly
  • Sleep problems: finding it hard to get to sleep or waking up very early
  • Changes in your weight or appetite
  • Constipation
  • No sex drive and/or sexual problems
  • Unexplained aches and pains.

Depression can also alter somebody’s behaviour. You might:

  • Avoid other people, even your close friends
  • Find it hard to function at work, college or school
  • Find it difficult to make decisions or think clearly
  • Be unable to concentrate or remember things.

Depending on the symptoms, and severity of symptoms, a doctor can diagnose a person with mild, moderate, or severe depression.

The grade of depression is likely to depend on the impact it has on your life.

What causes depression?

Known as a “complex condition”, influential factors that can lead to depression can include genetics and stressful life events.

Examples can include a difficult childhood, unemployment, the end of a relationship, being bullied or assaulted.

“You may find that a combination of factors led to your depression, or there might not be an obvious cause,” the Mental Health Foundation notes.

“If you’ve felt depressed for a long time, you may feel like it’ll always be part of your life,” the organisation adds.

“But try to stay open to the possibility of change. There are many different types of help available now.”

In addition to medication, people could benefit from talking therapies and self-help resources.

Glenn Close starred in Air Force One, which is showcasing on Film4 on Monday, November 21 at 9pm.

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