Symptoms of Depression

Every time someone asks me if I’m ok, its just a reminder that I’m not. I’m crying inside and no one knows it but me...   ~ Unknown

 

Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life. But when emptiness and despair take hold and won't go away, it may be depression. More than just the temporary "blues," the lows of depression make it tough to function and enjoy life like you once did. Hobbies and friends don’t interest you like they used to; you’re exhausted all the time; and just getting through the day can be overwhelming. When you’re depressed, things may feel hopeless, but with help and support you can get better. But first, you need to understand depression. Learning about depression—including its signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment—is the first step to overcoming the problem.

 

Depression varies from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms. It’s important to remember that these symptoms can be part of life’s normal lows. But the more symptoms you have, the stronger they are, and the longer they’ve lasted—the more likely it is that you’re dealing with depression. When these symptoms are overwhelming and disabling, that's when it's time to seek help. Kids with depression have described themselves as feeling hopeless about everything or feeling that nothing is worth the effort. They honestly believe that they are "no good," that their world is a difficult place, and that they're helpless to do anything about it. But for an accurate diagnosis of major depression to be made, a detailed clinical evaluation must be done by a medical or mental health professional (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist). To meet criteria for a diagnosis, five or more of these symptoms must be present for longer than 2 weeks.

 

Emotional Symptoms of Depression

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. It seems that the situation is so hopeless, and that nothing can influence the course of events. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
• Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
• Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
• Change of psychomotor condition.Slowed reaction and movement or conversely nervousness, restlessness and a desire to run somewhere.
• Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
• Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
• Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
• Self-loathing, Self-flagellation and hatred directed to you. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes. A strong sense of guilt and worthlessness.
• Reckless behaviour. You engage in escapist behaviour such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.
• Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.

 

Physical Symptoms of Depression

Many of us for years are suffering of unexplained symptoms, not knowing that it is all the manifestations of clinical depression. The irony of this disorder is that depression can “make” some parts of the brain to send pain impulses to our body.

The most common physical symptoms indicating that we are suffering of depression are:

Back pain. Those who suffer from chronic back pain can feel worsening in periods of depression.

Headache and Migraine.

Pain in muscles and joints.

Chest pain. If you do not have heart problems, but there is a feeling of heaviness or pain in the chest area, check whether you have symptoms of clinical depression.

Digestive problems. Frequent indigestion, chronic constipation, and nausea.

Insomnia or hypersomnia (oversleeping). Often, clients with clinical depression cannot sleep at night or waking up early in the morning, feeling tired all day.

Appetite change. Often depression is manifested by reduction of appetite, desire to eat a muffin or something sweet or outright gluttony.

Dizziness

 

 

Understanding the underlying cause of your depression may help you overcome the problem. For example, if you are depressed because of a dead end job, the best treatment might be finding a more satisfying career, not taking an antidepressant. If you are new to an area and feeling lonely and sad, finding new friends at work or through a hobby will probably give you more of a mood boost than going to therapy. In such cases, the depression is remedied by changing the situation. Just as the symptoms and causes of depression are different in different people, so are the ways to feel better. What works for one person might not work for another, and no one treatment is appropriate in all cases. If you recognize the signs of depression in yourself or a loved one, take some time to explore the many treatment options. In most cases, the best approach involves a combination of social support, lifestyle changes, emotional skills building, and professional help. Please feel free to add in comments or make suggestions.