Learning that you have a cancer and then going through a period of often difficult treatment causes a range of strong emotions, including sadness. These emotions usually get easier as time passes and you adjust to your situation. But if you are finding that episodes of feeling sad are changing to a situation where you are feeling low most of the time for weeks on end then it is likely that you have become depressed.

Depression is an illness and it can often be triggered by the emotional stresses of cancer and its treatment. Rest assured, depression isn't a sign of personal failure or inability to cope. It is important to realise if you might be depressed because a variety of treatments can be given for depression which could rapidly help you feel much better.

There are a number of key symptoms of depression and these are:

• your mood is low most of the time
• you don't feel your usual self n you can't be lifted out of your low mood by either yourself or other people n you've lost interest in and get no enjoyment from your favourite activities

These symptoms are often accompanied by other problems such as difficulty sleeping, loss of concentration, tiredness and lack of energy, loss of motivation (being unable to star or finish things) and a loss of interest in sex.

If you feel that you are having a number of these problems then do talk to your doctors or nurses about things. Don't 'bottle things up' and keep them to yourself. Your doctors will understand but they can only help if you let them know how you are feeling.

There are a number of treatments that can be given which can dramatically improve the quality of life for you. If your mood does not improve your doctor may recommend antidepressants. Some people are worried at the thought of taking these medicines but modern antidepressants are often very effective, are usually well tolerated and are not addictive.