Identifying Depression Signs And Symptoms

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Recognizing whether you are depressed?

There are depression signs and symptoms that help you to identify whether you are depressed or not. Depression is one of the major mental health issues of our modern times, and a condition that often is hardly understood by those who have never experienced it.

People who feel depressed often feel marginalized. Though not obviously sick, they are part of the world, and at the same time their life force is covered with a heavy layer like ice and snow covers the earth in winter. The essence, the life force remains hidden, and only at times it surfaces, unfolds, rejoices, and then hides again under an impenetrable blanket.

Nobody who has depression is depressed on purpose. Depression seems like an unwanted pet that keeps you company constantly although you want it to be gone. People who are depressed don't have control over their condition, thus they oftentimes lose hope. Some say that a life with depression is like a living hell.

To know more about depression signs and symptoms is the first step to get the help that you need.The sooner, the better! We live in an age where a lot of people believe in self-improvement, and natural ways to medicate themselves. However, in some cases a visit to a psychiatrist or another health professional is inevitable.

By identifying depression signs an symptoms, you can overcome depression and heal!

Depression signs and symptoms: A definition of depression 

Depression is a disorder affecting your mood state, your thinking patterns and your physical well-being. It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things.

A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood, or being sad. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. People with depression cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better.

Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years.

The biggest complication of depression is completed suicide.

Depression Signs and Symptoms... 

What you need to look out for to know whether you are depressed


  • "feeling of feeling nothing"

  • feeling low in the evening (rather a sign of neurosis, a form of depression not related to a medical/brain condition)

  • problems sleeping through the night (people with neurosis have rather problems with falling asleep)

  • loss of pleasure for things that were pleasurable before

  • alcohol and/or drug abuse to numb empty feeling

  • non-diet-related weight loss/gain

  • withdrawal from social interactions

  • increased irritability and frustration

  • finding it hard to take minor personal criticisms

  • loss of libido/sex drive

  • feeling worthless

  • feeling helpless

  • everything is meaningless

  • bleak outlook on future

  • mood swings that are out of character

  • low drive and motivation (stay in bed whole day)

  • increased physical health complaints such as fatigue or pain

  • being reckless or taking unnecessary risks (e.g. driving fast or dangerously)

  • suicidal thoughts (high suicide risk)


Useful CHECKLIST to identify whether you are depressed. Absolutely confidential!

Additional signs and symptoms more prevalent in major depression:

  • problems sleeping through the night (people with major depression wake up very early in the morning)

  • feeling low in the morning (rather a sign for major depression)

  • formal thought disorder (severe form of major depression): thinking is slowed down, disturbed thought patterns

  • content-related thought disorder (severe form of major depression): delusions of physical health (something is terribly wrong), becoming poor, no right to exist, guilt (punishment for past misdeeds)


YOU CAN OVERCOME DEPRESSION SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AND HEAL!

When you experience depression signs and symptoms, and you have identified them, go and see a physician first before you see a psychotherapist. You need to eliminate a medical condition.

When you are experiencing depression signs and symptoms, you should know that... 

...there are different forms of depression

  • Clinical depression (major depression disorder)

  • Bi-polar disorder (manic depression; depression combined with mania)

  • Psychotic depression (severe form of major depression)

  • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD, depression due to lack of sunlight, Vitamin D deficiency)

  • Dysthymia (mild to moderate form of depression that is prolonged in time, and can trigger a major depression into a double depression)

  • Neurosis (adjustment disorder; depression that is triggered by life circumstances, bad life experiences e.g. traumatic childhood, relationship difficulties/breakdown, loss of a loved one, loss of work place, familiar social environment and contacts etc.)

  • Masked depression (depression that manifests in health-related issues: people develop bodily symptoms such as migraines, stomach aches, sore backs, joint aches, etc.)

    • 1 in 5 people experience depression once in their lifetime

    The ratio between women to men is 2:1

    1 in 250 people have a severe form of depression

    Depression signs and symptoms...and people with a physical health condition 

    Medical conditions that may cause depression

    • Low thyroid function (up to 60 % of people with low thyroid function have depression)

    • Brain injuries and diseases (e.g. stroke, heart disease, head injury, epilepsy, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease)

    • Some forms of cancer

    • Infectious diseases

    • Blood vessel disease in the brain due to diabetes and/or hypertension

    • Some steroid and hormonal treatments

    • Hormonal changes in men and women

    • Giving birth

    • Anaemia

    • Eating disorders

    • Chronic pain

    • Quitting smoking

     

    www.beyondblue.org.au

    People who are at high risk for depression... 

    ...There are some personality traits that are more prone to depression


    • always worrying

    • perfectionists

    • sensitive to personal criticism

    • unassertive

    • self-critical and negative

    • shy, socially anxious and have low self-esteem

    When you experience depression signs and symptoms... 

    ...how can you help yourself the natural way

    Natural Cure for Anxiety and Depression

    curated content from YouTube

    When you have identified depression signs and symptoms don't panic... 

    ...there is hope!

    YOU CAN OVERCOME DEPRESSION SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AND HEAL!

    1. It is hard to remain calm and composed when you are depressed, but all you need to remember is that depression is not some kind of incurable disease. It is a disorder and can be treated. Though with some people it may become chronic.


    2. General practitioners (M.D.'s, physicians) usually suggest antidepressants (AD) to treat the signs of depression. Antidepressants are effective for some, however not in all cases, and they cause a lot of side effects.

      In fact, a lot of people stop taking these medications because of these side effects. So, you can try natural medications which are highly potent and at the same time very safe. In severe cases of depression you can change to an antidepressant with less side effects in combination with natural medication to reduce the AD dosage to a minimum.


    3. Even though some of the depression signs are physical, it is actually a mental disorder. It is all in your mind. So, psychotherapy plays a very important role in treating it.


    4. Your role is just as important as the doctor's and psychotherapist's role in treating depression. You need to make some changes in your lifestyle (eat healthy, especially food high in natural serotonin; exercise regularly; meet like minded people, e.g. become a member of a support group)

    To confirm suspected depression signs and symptoms your physician will test you... 

    ...Common tests done

    • Full blood count and biochemistry (serotonin imbalance in the brain)

    • Thyroid function tests (low thyroid function)

    • Urine test for sugar and protein (diabetes mellitus)

    • Brain scan (epilepsy, brain injuries, cancer etc.)

    More interesting reads about depression 

    featured lens Clinical Depression Treatments

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    featured lens Depression: Physical Symptoms - Even Your Body Turns On You

    Depression physical symptoms are often the first indicator that you might have depression. The more severe the depression, the more bodily symptoms you have. Depression may be called 'the common flu of mental disorders' as it has developed in...

    My articles on depression 

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    • Reply
      Carmel_Aaron Carmel_Aaron Sep 1, 2009 @ 8:48 am
      Hi Marika,

      Thanks for your comments on my Stress and Depression lens.

      I decided to see who you are. This is a great lens on the signs and symptoms of depression. You were pretty thorough without getting too clinical. It was easy for a layperson to understand.

      I really appreciated how you organized your subject, and the fact that you also are interested
      in natural treatment.

      Welcome to Squidoo.

      I haven't been here too long-just a couple (or maybe 3) months myself.

      I see you are a psychotherapist and lifecoach.

      I am a wellness consultant and Certified Diet Wellness Coach. It looks like we both enjoy improving proples' lives.

      Every Success to You...
    • Reply
      calicoskies calicoskies Sep 1, 2009 @ 8:09 am
      Awesome lens! Welcome to Squidoo :)
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