Symptoms of Depression
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Symptoms of Depression
Do you think depression only happens to other people? Or, if you think you are suffering from depression, do you feel all alone?
Depression is more widespread than you might think. Every year more than 17 million Americans suffer from clinical depression. Yet, many do not seek the professional help they need. Although there are effective treatments available, depression often goes untreated because people fail to recognize its symptoms. They actually don't realize they are depressed, or they believe depression is normal and something they must just live with and try to "tough out."
There is much more to depression than simply feeling depressed. And although many people suffer from depression, you don't have to accept it as a normal part of life.
So What are the Symptoms?
The following is a list of symptoms found in people suffering from Major Depression. Remember that everyone will experience some of these symptoms from time to time. But if you experience them almost every day for most of the day, you may be suffering from depression.
Keep track of how many you are experiencing.
What Do My Answers Mean?
Doctors or other health-care professionals will diagnose you with depression or a Major Depressive Episode if you have five or more of the above symptoms during the same two-week period (or longer). One of the symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure for this diagnosis to be made.
In addition, the symptoms you are experiencing must be causing you distress or interfering with your life—social, work, or other important areas of your life—for the diagnosis of Major Depression to be made.
If you are depressed you might be experiencing other symptoms as well. These may include:
Not everyone who is depressed has all the symptoms listed above, however. Symptoms differ from person to person. Even if the same person experiences depression more than once, their symptoms may not be the same each time.
I Don't Have the Symptoms Above, But I Still Feel Bad
Even if you do not meet the above "criteria" for a Major Depressive Episode, you may still be clinically depressed and require treatment. Dysthymia is a condition in which you have been depressed most of the time for at least two years, but have milder symptoms than in a Major Depressive Episode.
Other Possibilities
If in addition to periods of depression, you have periods of mania as well—feeling high, lots of energy—you may have a Bipolar Disorder.
Symptoms of Mania
If symptoms are caused by a substance, such as alcohol or drugs, you are likely to be diagnosed with a substance abuse or dependency problem rather than depression.
Additionally, you may not be diagnosed with depression if symptoms are caused by another medical condition.
Finally, if you are experiencing symptoms of depression due to a death, loss, or other adverse life event, you may still well have developed a Major Depression. In this instance, it can be difficult to tell if you are simply experiencing sadness or depression.
What Can I do with this Information?
If you feel that you may be suffering from depression it's very important for you to see your doctor or other qualified health-care professional. Don't be embarrassed or ashamed. Being depressed does not mean you're weak. It means you have a medical illness that needs to be treated. And depression is very treatable. Make sure you get the help you need.
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