Evidence of being severely depressed
An often easily diagnosable and treatable medical problem, depression occurs in at least 20 million American
adults every year. Although everyone has experienced feelings of being slightly
depressed, people that are suffering from true depression have many frequent and recurring long-term symptoms,
making them view life as something not worth living.
How to identify a depression problem? Here are more symptoms. They can vary by individual, although
if these happen to you, it might be wise to consult a doctor.
- Sadness that is prolonged
- Crying spells that are unexplained
- Significant and abrupt changes in sleep patterns and appetite
- Anger, irritability, anxiety, worry, agitation
- Pessimism, indifference
- Loss of energy
- Persistent lethargy
- Guilt feelings and unexplained sense of worthlessness
- Difficulty in concentrating and indecisiveness
- Inability to enjoy previously pleasurable interests
- Social withdrawal
- Unexplained pains and aches
- Extreme fatigue when you have not done much
- Recurring and frequent thoughts of suicide or death
If you are experiencing at least five of these symptoms which have begun interfering with family
activities or work for more than a week, ask your doctor for a thorough checkup. This would likely
consist of a comprehensive physical exam (although some symptoms might be caused by other known health problems)
and a detailed clinical history. Be honest and open on what and how you are feeling.
Do not even think of diagnosing yourself.
Likewise, you cannot rely to a friend or a member of your family
for diagnosis. Only a doctor that is properly trained to check illnesses can fully
determine if you are having a depression episode.
If you prefer, you could try self-evaluation tests available on the Internet that could help you gauge the
symptoms that you have, or at least, can prepare you for the visit your doctor. Think of these tests as a
way of communicating your symptoms better to a healthcare professional when you meet.
Of course, online tests prove no match to an actual consultation.
For other people, depression is recurrent, which simply means that they experience depression episodes often
- once or twice in a month, at least once a year, or many times throughout their lifetimes.
Do not feel embarrassed, shy, or ashamed of your depression problem. People of various ages, ethnic groups,
races, and social classes must cope with this problem. Although depression can happen at any given age, it
commonly develops in people whose ages lie between 25 and 44. There are more than 20 million American adults
who experience depression problems daily.
Be persistent, honest and patient and you will find the method that suits you best for treating depression.
DEPRESSION IS A REAL ILLNESS
Because everyone becomes depressed at times, there is that eternal question if depression is a
real illness. The answer is: yes. Approximately one out of eight
United States residents will likely become clinically depressed. Some experience it once in a lifetime,
while others have multiple episodes.
The fact is, if a person gets depressed once, there is a 50 percent chance that he will
fall to the same predicament again. And come the second time, there is the threat that he will go into a
third episode.
Depression is a real illness as it involves the mental, emotional and even physical faculties of the person.
There are symptoms and signs as well as corresponding treatment.
Variations of depression
There are three types of depressive disorders: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and dysthymic disorder.
Major depression is a culmination of all the symptoms and signs that intervene with one's capability to act
normally. It can happen once, but recurring episodes are possible.
Its less severe counterpart is dysthymia which is characterized by the same symptoms of major depression, only
they do not totally interfere with one's activities. A person who has dysthymic disorder can suffer major
depression sometime during his life.
Bipolar disorder is a type of depression that involves drastic mood changes, from being very high one
minute to severely depressed the next. The manic cycle can make the person hyper and overenthusiastic but
it changes as soon as the depressed cycle hits.
NEXT: Causes of Depression
|
