Symptoms of Depression

The symptoms of depression can be debilitating. You don't feel like yourself, and life seems like it won't give you a break. Understanding your symptoms is the first step in overcoming depression.

Are you still wondering if you suffer from depression? Take this depression quiz!

The Symptoms of Depression

Depression affects people in many different ways. However, there are some common symptoms of depression that professionals use as a guide to diagnose depression. The following are some of the biggest signs of depression.

• Loss of interest in activities you once found pleasurable: You don't find any pleasure in any of the things you used to find enjoyment in such as sex, hobbies or spending time with loved ones.
• Feeling sad, helpless and hopeless: You feel an overwhelming amount of sadness and feel that there is no hope because nothing you do will help the way you feel.
• Loss of energy: Even if you did want to do something, you just can't seem to get out of bed most days.
• Feeling worthless or guilty: Due to feeling so down and not having any energy, you feel like you are worthless and feel guilty because of it.
• Sleep problems: You may sleep more than you used to or you may stay up all night.
• Appetite changes: You may eat more than you used to or eat much less.
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation: When you do manage to do anything, you can't do it as quickly as you used to. You feel as though you are walking with a ton of bricks.
• Inability to concentrate:You are unable to focus on tasks or make decisions. You may also have memory problems.

The Most Serious Depression Symptom: Suicidal/Homicidal Thoughts

If you are experiencing any thoughts of harming yourself or others, you must call 9-1-1 or your local emergency services number right away. Seeking help for these thoughts will ensure that you keep yourself, as well as others around you, safe. Remember, you may feel like life is not worth living but if you hang on and seek treatment, life will get better.

Duration and Severity of Depression Symptoms

How long you experience depression symptoms as well as your ability to cope with them determines the severity of your depression as well as treatment options.

Depression as a Mental Disorder

If you experience any of the above symptoms of depression for at least two weeks, you most likely suffer from clinical depression. Symptoms during these two weeks may wax and wane, but they will continue to influence your life negatively.

You need to contact a health care professional for a thorough evaluation. Once diagnosed, your doctor may refer you to a counselor as well as prescribe some anti-depressant medication.

Depression Due to Situational Factors

Situational depression occurs after a major life event. Pronounced symptoms immediately precede the event, but the symptoms decrease as time goes on. Situational depression systems may influence your life for a short time, but they usually do not cause long-term effects.

You may not need treatment unless your symptoms inhibit your daily functioning. If so, contact your health care professional. He/She will discuss anti-depressant medication and/or counseling to get you through the healing time of a devastating life event.

You don't have to feel like this forever; there is hope! Depression is treatable as long as you take the first step by contacting your primary care physician.

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