Depression: Symptoms And Warning Signs

If you are experiencing at least five of the under listed symptoms for a continual duration of at least two weeks, you might be suffering from depression. It is important that you see a mental health professional for proper diagnosis.

1. Mood: anxiety, apathy, general discontent, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, mood swings, or sadness most of the time and maybe suicidal and dying thoughts.
2. Sleep changes: difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep and/or restless sleep, excess sleepiness
3. Helplessness and hopelessness: feeling tired, sluggish, and having low energy most days; and having a bleak outlook and the feeling that nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation
4. Apathy: loss of interest in daily activities. Not caring anymore about former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. Loss of ability to feel joy and pleasure
5. Bad temper: agitated, excessive crying, irritability, or social isolation. Anger, low tolerance level with everything and everyone getting on your nerves
6. 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
7. Poor concentration: experiencing problems with thinking, focus, concentration, creativity and the ability to make decisions most days
8. Low self esteem: strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Harsh self criticism for perceived faults and mistakes
9. Reckless behavior: engaging in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports
10. Appetite or weight changes: significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month
11. Unexplained aches and pains: an increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain

If you think you or a loved one might be depressed, it is important to seek the counsel of a trained mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment. Depression is an extremely common mental illness and it can be easily treated by qualified professionals.