How to Know If You're Suffering from Depression

Depressive illnesses are prevalent throughout the world; in the United States alone more than 20 million are affected by a depressive disorder each year. Everyone goes through sad episodes in their life, but depression is much more than sadness and there are several signs which you should monitor.

Instructions

Distinguishing Depression

• 1

  Research depression and its different forms to determine which one you may be suffering from. Several types of depression include major depression, dysthymia, psychotic depression, postpartum depression, and seasonal affective disorder. All have similarities, but each has distinguishing characteristics.

• 2

  Ask yourself questions about the tell-tale signs of depression and be honest about the answers. For example, if you're simply going through a sad period in your life then you may be feeling alright inside of a week. This is different than major depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) the signs of major depression are uncontrollable crying, extreme mood changes in a short period of time, and extreme hopelessness.

• 3

  Monitor your emotions and activities on a daily basis by keeping track in a journal. Someone who is clinically depressed will go though extreme sadness for a long period of time and will usually be withdrawn, avoiding most social activities with family and friends. You may also have feelings of worthlessness or self-hatred if you're suffering from depression.

• 4

  Monitor the physical symptoms, if any, that you're experiencing on a daily basis. Clinical depression can cause irritability, appetite loss, headaches, concentration difficulties, sleeping problems, and weight increases or decreases.

• 5

  Make an appointment with a professional mental health therapist to speak with him or her about the changes you have seen in yourself. If you have been monitoring your symptoms every day, express them to your counselor and he or she may be able to make a diagnosis or help you gain clarification of whether you're suffering from clinical depression.