Symptoms of Depression

We’ve all been there. You wake up feeling blue and you look at the window only to see that its dark and rainy outside and its not letting up. You sigh and say to yourself, “I am so depressed,” as you bury your body beneath your blankets and vow never to leave your bed again. Fortunately, like the rain, your mood will let up eventually and the sun will shine again. You are not depressed. Clinical depression is more complicated than the feelings of sadness triggered by a few raindrops.

Depression is an intense feeling of sadness that won’t go away. The feeling is so severe, it interferes with normal functioning. While a feeling of general (and temporary) sadness may follow a break-up, job loss, death in the family or other sad event, with depression, the feelings are out of proportion to that event and last well beyond an appropriate length of time. A depressed person can also feel intense fear, they may be overly anxious, and feel sluggish. A depressed person may be unable to complete simple physical tasks such as showering or brushing their teeth while in a depressive state.

Besides an emotionally draining event, imbalances in the body, a brain or nervous system disorder, certain cancers, infections, nutritional disorders, connective tissue disorders, heredity, and certain drugs may contribute to depression. Gender may also play a role in depression. Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, although the reasons for this are unclear.

Symptoms of depression include:

• Anxiety
• Being withdrawn
• Feelings of despair and loneliness
• Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
• Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
• Indecisiveness
• Intense feeling of sadness
• Intense feelings of guilt
• Irritability
• Lack of concentration
• Low self-esteem
• Preoccupation with death
• Self-denigration
• Thoughts of death and suicide
• Significant weight gain or loss

In addition, depressed people may be unable to experience emotions such as grief, joy, and pleasure in a normal way. It is important to note that many of the symptoms listed above are symptoms of other conditions. This is why it is important to speak with your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of depression for extended periods. While most symptoms of depression are considered serious, thoughts of death and suicide are among the most serious. Around 15 percent of untreated depressed people commit suicide. The other 85 percent (if left untreated) may experience depression for several years or they may have repeated episodes averaging four to five times during their lifetime.

Treatment for Depression

Depression is a serious condition that requires intense treatment. Drug therapy (antidepressants), psychotherapy (in mild cases), and electroconvulsive therapy (in severe cases) are used to treat depression. A combination of psychotherapy and drug therapy may be used in severe cases as well. The type of treatment will depend on the type and level of depression. So again, speak with your doctor immediately if you suspect depression.