How to Know If You Suffer From Severe Depression

There are times in everyone's life when events can overtake you, making you feel sad or depressed. However, there is a big difference between a normal or situational sadness, and what is classified by mental health care professionals as severe depression. Normal or situational depression is usually short-term (less than two weeks), and does not have lasting effects on your ability to live a normal life. The severe depression, also known as "clinical" or "major" depression, lingers far longer, and if left untreated, only gets worse and can affect every area of your life.

Instructions

How Can I Tell if I am Suffering from Severe Depression?

• 1

  Pay attention to your routines and relationships. Do you enjoy things that normally make you happy (hobbies, interests, entertainment)? Do you avoid social contacts with others with whom you normally want to spend time (spouse, children, parents, friends)? If your routines and relationships seem to have changed, this can signal the onset of a severe depression.

• 2

  Read through the list of depression symptoms published by the National Institute of Mental Health yourself if you suffer from more than one of the identified symptoms (for example, feelings of guilt or "emptiness," overeating or appetite loss, or even difficulty making decisions). If you do, it is highly likely you are suffering from severe depression.

• 3

  Schedule a visit to your primary care physician. Under some conditions, physical illnesses or medications you are taking can cause severe depression. Your physician will be able to determine whether or not there is a physical reason for your sadness. If there is no physical cause at fault, your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and whether or not there is a history of depression in your family. After the examination, the doctor will refer you to a mental health care specialist who can provide you with appropriate treatment.