Depression is one of many reasons some people resort to self-injury. For some, its the only way of coping. Depression is a mood disorder characterised by feelings of sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness, often seen during the grief accompanying the loss of a relative or close friend, and in clinical depression. This is much different to feeling a bit down or having a touch of the blues, which are both perfectly healthy, In the UK, 10 per cent of people suffer from some form of depression during their lifetime. The disorder strikes men and women of all ages and from all parts of society, but some studies indicate that women are more often afflicted.