Common Depression Symptoms
Some common depression symptoms to look for:
· Feeling constantly sad, hopeless, or unhappy even when things are going really well in your life.
· Feeling overwhelmed by having to make decisions or being unable to concentrate and feeling “wishy-washy” when you usually don’t have trouble being decisive.
· Feeling physically tired all the time.
· Sleeping too much or too little
· Gaining or losing a lot of weight quickly.
· Feeling like you just don’t enjoy regular activities in your life that should be fun.
· Wanting to withdraw from friends and family and just stay home and “hide out” all the time.
· Feeling unworthy or guilty when there’s no reason to feel that way, or feeling like you don’t deserve success in your life.
· Feeling edgy or restless and unable to sit still, or else feeling like getting up and moving takes way too much effort.
· Thinking about death and suicide.
Types of Depression
If you have two or more of these symptoms for longer than two weeks, you could be diagnosed with major depression. This is especially true if one of your symptoms is a prolonged feeling of sadness or hopelessness. There are different levels of depression, and treatment varies depending on how strong your symptoms are. Chronic depression that lasts over a year or two is called dysthymic disorder. And many women experience a type of depression called premenstrual dysphoric disorder every month during the two weeks around their period. There is also a type of depression experienced by new mothers called postpartum depression that can be especially severe because it can cause new moms to neglect or endanger their babies. And many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder during the winter when there is less sunlight and the darker time causes their depression symptoms to appear.
Other Common Symptoms
There are other physical symptoms that can be associated with depression that you should also keep track of and mention to your doctor. These can include:
· Chronic headaches
· Body aches and pains
· Insomnia or fitful sleeping
· Oversleeping
· Digestive issues
· Overeating or gaining weight
· Anger or tearfulness, or extreme moodiness
· Failing sexual performance or loss of sex drive
· Anxiousness or having anxiety or panic attacks
Depression can make you feel like you’re at the bottom of a well looking up and wishing someone would come along and rescue you because you just can’t get out by yourself. It can seem so hopeless and confusing when you’re in the middle of it. But you can’t lose hope, because there is help out there. Get the name of a reliable healthcare professional or group who can help you with your depression. There is light at the end of the tunnel and so many new treatment options to help you. There’s no need to suffer anymore!
